18 Feb 2006

Futuna transport links back to normal after weather cut off island

11:21 am on 18 February 2006

The French administrator of Wallis and Futuna says the island of Futuna is back to normal after being isolated for several weeks owing to bad weather.

Technical problems with the island's Twin Otter aircraft and flooding at the sea-side airstrip had prevented 300 children from going to school in Wallis.

A French military plane and warship arrived earlier this week, and the Twin Otter's now up and running.

The vessel, the Jacques Cartier brought fresh supplies of drugs and teachers from metropolitan France.