Air Tahiti Nui will resume flights to New Zealand for freight from June 9 – TNTV Tahiti Nui

After 14 months of suspending flights between French Polynesia and New Zealand, the Head of State, Eduard Fritsch, is pleased with the result of the call for bids launched by the New Zealand Ministry of Transport in March 2021. Air Tahiti Nui has entrusted the flights of continuity necessary for economic exchanges with its key partners, the Presidency announced in Press release.

The resumption of trade between New Zealand and French Polynesia is possible thanks to the Mechanism for Air Operations Support (MIAC – Maintaining International Air Connectivity) initiated by the New Zealand government as part of maintaining New Zealand’s economic trade. Airlines cannot financially support such operations without financial assistance to make up for the almost complete absence of passenger revenue due to traffic restrictions.

The system’s objectives, worth NZ$170 million (11.9 billion XPF), are specifically aimed at maintaining links with New Zealand’s major trading partners, (…) to maintain important connections with the Pacific region and to promote the resumption of air activity with New Zealand.

These subcontracted flights relate not only to exchanges between Polynesia and New Zealand, but also to other territories such as the United States or Europe, via the Air Tahiti Nui network departing from Tahiti. In this context, Air Tahiti Nui announced the resumption of flights to Auckland from June 9, with one frequency per week.

About the President of Polynesia “This contract won by Air Tahiti Nui is further recognition of the seriousness and professionalism of our company in the context of a major crisis in the aviation sector. It is also a tangible translation of the agreements signed between our two countries in 2018, which reflects the good health of our diplomatic relations.”

According to Air Tahiti Nui, This process is likely to account for approximately 23 tons of export shipments each week. In addition, 11 tons of goods imported on return flights to New Zealand. 60% of this volume relates to New Zealand’s export needs to the US and Europe, thus bringing significant gains to the company in Tiare, via its hub in Papeete.

The Minister of Tourism responsible for international transport, Nicole Bhutto, also enthusiastically welcomed this news: “The resumption of exchanges with our cousins ​​in the Pacific is good news and allows us to do soWe hope for a gradual continuation of passenger transport.”