Air Tahiti Nui continues to develop its international network with the launch of new direct service between Papeete and Sydney.
This new service forms part of the airline’s strategy to sustainably strengthen French Polynesia’s connectivity with major regional hubs across the South Pacific.
The inaugural flight is scheduled for December 14. Air Tahiti Nui will operate two flights per week, offering travellers a direct, non-stop connection between Tahiti and Australia.
This service will significantly reduce travel time and simplify journeys between the two destinations.
“We are very pleased to announce this new direct service between Papeete and Sydney,” said Lionel Guérin, Chief Executive Officer of Air Tahiti Nui.
“With two direct flights per week and our codeshare agreement with Qantas, this service offers Australian travellers’ greater comfort and additional frequencies, complementing our twice-weekly service to Auckland, New Zealand.”
| Day of Operation | Origin | Departure Time | Destination | Arrival Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday and Thursday | PPT | 12:10 | SYD | 17:45+1 ¹ 17:00+1 ² |
| Tuesday and Friday | SYD | 20:10 ¹ 19:10 ² |
PPT | 06:25 ¹ 06:05 ² |
¹ Travel between 14 December 2026 and 27 March 2027
² Travel between 28 March 2027 and 30 October 2027
The Islands of Tahiti continue to demonstrate strong appeal in the Australian market, which ranks among the destination’s most dynamic international segments.
According to the latest provisional data from ISPF (Institut de la statistique de la Polynésie Française), French Polynesia welcomed nearly 279,000 visitors in 2025 — a new tourism record, continuing the positive momentum of recent years.
Australian demand remains encouraging. With approximately 8,165 visitors in 2025, Australia plays an important role in diversifying and strengthening tourism flows to the destination.
As a major Pacific hub, Sydney represents a strategic gateway for enhanced regional connectivity.
