|
Airports
and Airstrips
The network includes 38 islands scattered over
the full dimension of Polynesia : by superposing the map of the network
with that of Europe, we would find Tahiti at Paris, Nuku-Hiva at Oslo,
Mangareva at Bucarest and Rurutu at Marseilles. The shortest route is 15
km (Tahiti-Moorea), and the longest 1600 km (Tahiti-Mangareva). Traffic
varies from several hundred passengers per day on certain routes and just
a few dozen per month on others. The
38 runways of the network have different characteristics which have an
influence on the choice of aircraft scheduling and also on payload. Most
of these runways are paved and offer the best landing conditions today.
Still, the most rudimentary airstrips are unpaved
and built with coral soup : this is the case for some of the
geographically isolated airfields in the Eastern Tuamotu, which are
operated by the Dornier .This is the reason why the aircraft have to be
fitted with special protectors against coral projections.
Airport of Tahiti-Faaa The
airport of Tahiti-Faa'a where international and domestic flights operate
is located in the town of Faa'a. AIR TAHITI is operating in the
main terminal to the islands of French Polynesia, whereas AIR MOOREA is
operating regular flights between Tahiti and Moorea in another building
200 meters away.
Transfers from the airport to any town or hotel are provided by taxis
(taxi rank at the airport) or trucks, local buses (truck-stop near
the airport. Services available at the
airport:
- snack/bar
- self-service
- gastronomic
restaurant
- bank
counters
- cash
point
- post
office
- public
phones
- 'souvenir
boutiques'
- newspapers
and tobacco shop
- rent
a car counters
- baggage
lockers
- public
restrooms (shower rooms and WCs)
Airport of Bora Bora The
airport is located on an islet (Motu Mute).
AIR TAHITI provides a launch service, "Bora Bora
Navettes", between the airport and Vaitape, the principal village.
The duration of the boat crossing is about 15 minutes. Each passenger is
required to identify its baggage before boarding the launch and again upon
arrival in Vaitape.
To get to the airport aboard Bora Bora Navettes,
departure from the quay in Vaitape is 1h15mns before each flight
departure. Check-in time at the AIR TAHITI counter in the airport is 1
hour before take-off.
Some hotels handle the direct transfers of their
clients and their baggage. Please note that in this case, AIR TAHITI's
responsibility for the baggage begins when bags are delivered at the
baggage claim area in the airport upon arrival and from the time they are
checked in with AIR TAHITI for the flight leaving Bora Bora upon
departure. Trucks (local buses) and taxis are available upon
arrival of the launch in Vaitape. Car rental counters are located 100
meters away from the quay. Services available at the airport:
- a
snack
- a
'souvenir boutique'
- car
rental
- public
restrooms and shower rooms
Airport of Huahine The
airport is located on an islet, the 'Motu Maeva' at 15 minutes drive from
the principal village of 'Fare'. Taxis are present upon each flight
arrival. Services available at the airport
- a
snack-bar
- a
'souvenir boutique'
- public
WCs
Airport of Atuona/Hiva Oa The
airport is outside the main center. Taxis are available for each arrival.
The AIR TAHITI agents may inform you. Services available at the airport:
- snack-bar
- public
restrooms
Airport of Manihi The
airport is located on an islet. Please note that there is no regular
boat service between the airport islet and the other islets that
comprise Manihi. Therefore, you will need to organize your boat transfer.
The airstrip and the place of boarding and landing are some distance from
the airport shelter. AIR TAHITI provides land transfers for passengers
between these 2 points by a van, "Le Truck Air Tahiti" ;
the baggage is transferred by a flatbed truck to the airport shelter where
they will be delivered to you. When leaving Manihi, because of the
location of the airstrip, check-in at the airport is 1h50 before
take-off.
The baggage is transferred by a flatbed truck to
the airport shelter where they will be delivered to you. Services
available at the airport:
- a
snack
- a
public phone
- public
WCs
Airport of Maupiti The
airport is located on an islet. You can get to the main village by private
boat, which costr extra (approximately 400 F XPF/adult and 200 F XPF/child
to be paid directly). Duration of boat crossing : 15 minutes.
Airport of Nuku Hiva The
airport of Nuku Hiva, called 'Nuku A Taha' ('Terre Déserte' in french),
is located in the north of the island. It is possible to get to Taiohae,
the principal village by car (2 hours drive with a 4x4 wheeled vehicle) or
by helicopter. Taxi service is provided at the airport to the villages.
You may organize it upon arrival at Nuku Hiva. Helicopter transfers are
made by Héli inter Marquises : Tel/Fax. (689) 92 02 17. Services
available at the airport:
- snack
- public
restrooms
- Héli-inter
Marquises for helicopter transfers
For
more general information
on French Polynesia, go to: |
