Air Tahiti
A French Polynesian regional airline connecting Tahiti with islands and atolls across the territory.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Air Tahiti is a regional airline based in Papeete and operating from Faa'a International Airport on Tahiti. Its principal role is to provide scheduled air transport between the widely dispersed islands and atolls of French Polynesia, linking the Society Islands with destinations in the Tuamotu, Gambier, Austral, and Marquesas archipelagos. The airline also serves one destination in the Cook Islands. Its network is designed around the practical transportation needs of an island territory where long distances over open ocean, limited road infrastructure, and separated population centers make air travel essential for residents, businesses, public services, and tourism. The company was founded in July 1950 by Jean Arbelot and Marcel Lasserre. Its first operations used a seven-seat Grumman Widgeon seaplane on routes between Papeete, Raiatea, and Bora Bora. Early expansion relied heavily on amphibious aircraft and water landings because purpose-built runways were not yet available across much of French Polynesia. In 1951, the French Ministry for the Overseas acquired a Grumman Mallard for the territory and made it available for the airline's operations. Air Tahiti also briefly attempted a mail connection between Papeete and Aitutaki in the Cook Islands, although the service was discontinued in 1952. The brand underwent several institutional and naming changes. In 1953, the territory transferred the Mallard to Régie Aérienne Interinsulaire, a subsidiary of Transports Aériens Intercontinentaux, and the Air Tahiti name temporarily disappeared. The successor organization expanded the inter-island network with Consolidated PBY Catalina aircraft and later became known as Réseau Aérien Interinsulaire. In 1970, it was renamed Air Polynésie, a period during which the airline developed a stronger local identity and expanded regular services to remote islands. The construction of Faa'a International Airport in 1960 and the subsequent development of runways throughout the territory gradually shifted operations from seaplanes toward conventional aircraft. Air Polynésie faced a capital shortage in the mid-1980s as it sought to replace older aircraft. In 1985, UTA, by then absorbed into Air France, sold a majority stake in the business. Twenty-five percent was transferred to the government of French Polynesia and another 45 percent was sold to local investors. The airline adopted the Air Tahiti name again in 1987 and operated ATR 42 regional turboprops. According to the cited reference material, passenger-kilometres increased from 75 million in 1987 to 315 million in 2007. Air Tahiti is separate from Air Tahiti Nui, the long-haul airline associated with international links to French Polynesia. Air Tahiti's principal business remains short-haul domestic and regional flying rather than intercontinental service. The airline is described in the reference material as serving 48 destinations and as being the largest private employer in French Polynesia. Its service proposition combines regular scheduled flights with the connectivity required by tourism operators and communities throughout the territory. Publicly available material supplied for this dossier does not establish current ownership details, audited financial results, or a verified present fleet list, so those fields are left unreported.
History
Air Tahiti began in July 1950 when Jean Arbelot and Marcel Lasserre established an airline to connect islands in French Polynesia. The initial aircraft was a seven-seat Grumman Widgeon J-4F seaplane, used on services linking Papeete with Raiatea and Bora Bora. The early airline operated in an environment where conventional airport infrastructure was sparse, so amphibious aircraft and lagoon or coastal landings were central to regional mobility. In 1951, the French Ministry for the Overseas purchased a Grumman Mallard for the territory and made it available to the airline. Air Tahiti inaugurated a fortnightly mail service between Papeete and Aitutaki in the Cook Islands in May of that year. The first flight was turned away because of concerns about polio, and the service ended in June 1952 after another carrier extended service to Papeete. In July 1952, the airline temporarily stopped operating after an accident injured its only pilot. Operations resumed in April 1953 after an Australian pilot was recruited. The airline progressively extended its reach. In 1953 it made the first landing in the Gambier Archipelago, and in October of that year it operated its first flight to the Marquesas, landing on the water at Taiohae on Nuku Hiva. In July 1953, however, the territory reassigned the Grumman Mallard to Régie Aérienne Interinsulaire, or RAI, a subsidiary of Transports Aériens Intercontinentaux. RAI took over the territory's air transport activities and the Air Tahiti name was dropped temporarily. RAI acquired two Consolidated PBY Catalina seaplanes and expanded services to more islands. It initially used an orange livery before adopting green and blue colors. In 1955, seaplane services reached the Austral Islands through routes to Tubuai and Raivavae. In 1958, RAI changed its name to Réseau Aérien Interinsulaire. It continued seaplane operations, added links to the Tuamotu Archipelago, and operated a Short Sandringham flying boat between Bora Bora and Papeete. A major infrastructure change came with the construction of Faa'a International Airport in 1960. A broader program of runway construction followed across French Polynesia, allowing the operator to move progressively from seaplanes to land-based aircraft. In 1970, the organization adopted the name Air Polynésie, commonly shortened locally to Air Po. It emphasized its Polynesian identity and maintained regular service to both major population centers and more remote islands. Its fleet during this period included a Short Sandringham, Douglas DC-4, de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter, Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander, and Fokker F27 Friendship aircraft. Service to Huahine began in April 1971. By late 1984, Air Polynésie needed new capital to purchase modern aircraft and warned that it could otherwise cease operations. In 1985, UTA, which had by then been absorbed by Air France, sold a majority of the shares. The government of French Polynesia received 25 percent, while local investors acquired a further 45 percent. The business returned to the Air Tahiti name in 1987 and began operating ATR 42 regional turboprops. The modern airline is centered on Faa'a International Airport and serves a broad network across French Polynesia. The reference material describes 48 destinations and identifies Air Tahiti as the territory's largest private employer. Its passenger-kilometres reportedly rose from 75 million in 1987 to 315 million in 2007, illustrating the growth of inter-island air travel. The airline remains distinct from Air Tahiti Nui, whose role is international long-haul transportation. Air Tahiti's identity continues to be based on regional connectivity, with scheduled services serving residents, local commerce, and visitors moving among the islands and atolls.
- 2007
Passenger-kilometres reached reported fourfold growth
[1]Reference material reports growth in passenger-kilometres from 75 million in 1987 to 315 million in 2007.
- 1987
Air Tahiti name restored
[1]The airline resumed the Air Tahiti brand and operated ATR 42 regional turboprop aircraft.
- 1985
Ownership restructuring
[1]UTA sold a majority of the airline's shares; 25 percent went to the government of French Polynesia and 45 percent to local investors.
- 1971
Service to Huahine began
[1]Air Polynésie began scheduled service to Huahine in April.
- 1970
The operator adopted the Air Polynésie name
[1]The company rebranded as Air Polynésie and developed a more explicitly Polynesian regional identity.
- 1960
Faa'a International Airport opened
[1]The opening of Tahiti's principal airport supported a wider runway-building program and a gradual move from seaplanes to conventional aircraft.
- 1958
RAI became Réseau Aérien Interinsulaire
[1]The inter-island operator changed its name and expanded coverage to the Tuamotu Archipelago.
- 1955
Austral Islands service inaugurated
[1]Seaplane operations expanded to Tubuai and Raivavae in the Austral Islands.
- 1953
Operations extended to the Gambier and Marquesas archipelagos
[1]The operator recorded an early landing in the Gambier Archipelago and began service to Taiohae on Nuku Hiva in the Marquesas.
- 1953
RAI took over the territory's air transport
[1]The territorial aircraft was reassigned to Régie Aérienne Interinsulaire, temporarily replacing the Air Tahiti brand.
Products and positioning
A locally embedded regional carrier providing essential inter-island mobility and tourism connectivity across French Polynesia.
Passenger airline service · 1950
Inter-island scheduled passenger flights
Air Tahiti's core offering is scheduled passenger transportation between Tahiti and islands or atolls throughout French Polynesia. The network serves residents who need access to education, healthcare, employment, government, and commerce, while also carrying visitors moving between tourism destinations. Operations are adapted to a geographically fragmented territory and include services to the Society, Tuamotu, Gambier, Austral, and Marquesas archipelagos.
Regional aviation · 1987
Regional turboprop service
Following the return of the Air Tahiti name in 1987, the airline adopted ATR 42 regional turboprops as part of its modernization. Turboprop aircraft are suited to the relatively short sectors, airport conditions, and passenger volumes typical of inter-island travel. The supplied references do not provide a verified current fleet composition, so this entry describes the historical operating model rather than asserting a present aircraft inventory.
Brand decisions
1987
Adoption of ATR 42 regional aircraftGeneration changeBackground
The rebranded airline required a more modern aircraft platform for its inter-island network.
Action taken
Air Tahiti returned as the brand and began operating ATR 42 regional turboprops.
Aftermath
The airline continued developing a larger regional network, with reported passenger-kilometres increasing fourfold between 1987 and 2007.
1985
Recapitalization through ownership restructuringStrategyBackground
Air Polynésie needed capital to acquire newer aircraft and had warned in late 1984 that it might otherwise wind up.
Action taken
UTA sold a majority stake, with 25 percent transferred to the government of French Polynesia and 45 percent sold to local investors.
Aftermath
The restructuring preceded the restoration of the Air Tahiti brand and the adoption of ATR 42 regional aircraft in 1987.
Sources1 sources
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