Air Tahiti will operate more than 40 additional flights between October 29 and November 1, 2025, to support the Hawaiki Nui Va’a, French Polynesia’s largest canoe race.
The airline expects to carry over 2,600 passengers during the four-day event, including competitors, supporters, and spectators travelling to and from the Leeward Islands.
The race, now in its 32nd edition, will take place across Huahine, Raiatea, Taha’a, and Bora Bora, concluding in the lagoon of Bora Bora. Air Tahiti, a long-time partner of the event, said the added services will ensure reliable transport links across the islands during one of the busiest periods of the Polynesian calendar.
Increased Operations and Staffing
To meet demand, Air Tahiti has deployed additional crews and staff across its network. Around 20 flight crews, including pilots and flight attendants, are being mobilized each day, supported by 60 ground staff in Tahiti. On major departure days, up to 15 extra agents are stationed at Tahiti-Faa’a International Airport, while reinforced teams are positioned on the islands to manage the higher volume of check-ins and departures.
According to the airline, a typical day in the archipelago sees around 30 flights. The temporary addition of over 40 flights represents a significant operational increase, made more complex by uneven passenger flows. Many aircraft will operate full in one direction and return empty, leading to an estimated 50 percent load factor overall. Despite these challenges, Air Tahiti said it remains committed to supporting the event and its cultural importance.
“It is important to highlight the considerable work done over several months by the teams responsible for flight scheduling and reservations, as well as the Group Unit, which coordinated the transportation of the various paddling clubs,” the airline said in a statement. “Everyone’s role is crucial to the success of this event.”
Showcasing Polynesian Identity and Team Spirit
Air Tahiti’s involvement extends beyond logistics. The airline also competes in the race with its own paddling team, Team Air Tahiti Va’a, which placed second overall in the 2024 edition. The airline described the team as a source of pride, representing values of cohesion, tenacity, and performance that reflect the spirit of the company and the Polynesian community.
Several members of the team are also Air Tahiti employees, including captain Kyle Taraufau from Tautira, who is regarded as one of the region’s top paddlers. Under the leadership of coach Matahi Tapatoa, also an employee of the airline, the team will field five crews this year: one senior team, one junior team, and three cadet teams, including one women’s team.
The airline highlighted three promising junior paddlers — Chance Tavita from Rangiroa, Heetini Owen from Huahine, and Paipaimoana Opeta from Taha’a — as examples of the next generation of Polynesian athletes. Teams from France, New Caledonia, Hawaii, and Hong Kong are also expected to take part in this year’s race, reinforcing its international appeal.
“Through its support for the Hawaiki Nui Va’a, Air Tahiti reaffirms its commitment to Polynesian culture and to promoting events that unite the islands and the people,” the company said.
Operational Backbone of the Islands
Founded more than 65 years ago, Air Tahiti operates as French Polynesia’s main domestic airline and serves a public service mission linking the country’s five archipelagos. The carrier’s ATR fleet connects 48 destinations across a geographic area as large as Europe or North America, including one international route to the Cook Islands.
Air Tahiti runs more than 500 regular flights per week using a fleet of nine ATR 72-600s and two ATR 42-600s. The company employs 1,600 people and maintains 50 agencies across the islands, making it the largest private employer in French Polynesia. Its aircraft, decorated with Polynesian tattoo motifs since 2017, have become a recognizable symbol of the region’s identity.
The airline noted that the Hawaiki Nui Va’a operation coincides with local school holidays and chartered flights for student groups returning to their islands, further increasing overall demand. Despite the tight scheduling and partial empty legs, Air Tahiti said the event demonstrates the company’s operational resilience and long-term investment in cultural partnerships.
As thousands gather to witness the finish in Bora Bora’s lagoon, the Hawaiki Nui Va’a remains one of the Pacific’s most iconic endurance events and a celebration of Polynesian heritage. For Air Tahiti, the logistical effort underscores its wider mission: linking the islands, communities, and traditions that define French Polynesia.
More information is available at airtahiti.com.
