Air Tahiti

Air Tahiti is a regional airline based in Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia. Air Tahiti's network covers 46 islands within French Polynesia, plus the island of Rarotonga. Its main base is Faa'a International Airport, PapeeteFlight International 27 March 2007] .

Code Data

*IATA Code: VT
*ICAO Code: VTA
*Callsign: AIR TAHITI [ [http://www.airlinecodes.co.uk/ Airline Codes] ]

History

The airline was established and started operations in 1953 as Reseau Aerien Interinsulaire (RAI), when the government of French Polynesia took over the operations of small private carrier Air Tahiti, dating from 1950. In 1958 RAI was taken over by the French airline TAI (later UTA). The name Air Polynesie was adopted in 1970, with the further change of identity to Air Tahiti implemented in January 1987, when UTA sold its shares in Air Polynesie to local shareholders. In January 1987 ATR aircraft replaced earlier Fokker aircraft. In 2003 the airline carried nearly 729,000 passengers.

Air Tahiti has 1,018 employees (at March 2007) and is owned by the French Polynesian Government (13.7%), Socredo Bank (13.4%), employees (8.4%), private shareholders (33.5), Air France (7.48%) and the rest by other institutional investors.

Destinations

Air Tahiti operates services to the following domestic scheduled destinations (at January 2005): cite web
title = Our Network
publisher = Air Tahiti
url = http://www.airtahiti.aero/articles.php?id=90&cat=25
accessdate = 2007-04-22] Ahe, Anaa, Apataki, Arutua, Atuona, Bora Bora, Fakarava, Gambier Islands, Hao, Huahine, Katiu, Kauehi, Kaukura Atoll, Makemo, Manihi, Mataiva, Maupiti Island, Moorea, Napuka, Nuku Hiva, Papeete, Puka-Puka, Raiatea, Rairua, Raivavae, Rangiroa, Rurutu, Takapoto, Takaroa, Tikehau Atoll, Tubuai, Ua Huka, and Ua Pu.

Since 2 April 2007, it has also operated an international flight to Rarotonga, in the Cook Islands. [ [http://www.archipels.gov.pf/4062-Inauguration-de-la-ligne-Papeete-Rarotonga-de-la-compagnie-Air-Tahiti.html www.archipels.gov.pf - Inauguration de la ligne Papeete Rarotonga de la compagnie Air Tahiti] ] .

Fleet

The Air Tahiti fleet includes the following aircraft (at March 2007) :

*4 ATR 42-500
*6 ATR 72-500 (plus 2 on order)

Previously operated

At August 2006 the airline also operated [Flight International, 3-9 October 2006] :
*1 Dornier 228-200

External links

* [http://www.airtahiti.aero/ Air Tahiti]

References