Air Tahiti celebrates first year
This Sunday, 9 July, marks the first anniversary of Air Tahiti Nui flights from Sydney to Papeete – and a range of new travel options for Australians visiting the Pacific, the USA or Europe.
With the launch of the only nonstop services to Papeete, the airline has reconnected Australians with one of their favourite Pacific holiday destinations, and introduced a convenient and novel new way to fly from Australia to New York City, as well as to Los Angeles and Paris.
“Our first year has been a great success, not only because of the attraction of Tahiti, but because of the strong support which the Australian travel industry has shown to the destination and to our airline,” said Craig Lee, Regional Director Australia for Air Tahiti Nui.
“Tahiti is one of the world’s most romantic and aspirational destinations, and a favorite holiday location for celebrities – most recently for Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban,” said Mr Lee.
“Prior to our introduction of services from Australia, passengers wanting to visit Tahiti had to fly the long way round, via New Zealand.
“Now, with our nonstop services, it takes just seven hours to fly to Tahiti from Australia, departing Sydney at 9.15am, crossing the international dateline and arriving in Papeete at 8.05 the previous evening.”
A measure of Air Tahiti Nui’s success in its first year has been the strong growth in holiday traffic from Australia, which recently convinced the airline to increase from two flights to three per week.
With the introduction in March this year of a new three-flight schedule, offering departures on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, the airline has now made it possible for Australians to take short break holidays in Tahiti – an increasingly popular option.
Mr Lee praised the strong support of Australia’s travel agents and wholesalers, whom he said had supported the flights from day one.
The airline has also worked closely with Tahiti Tourisme to promote the destination, and next week will participate in the Australian Tahiti Tourisme Roadshow.
“The travel industry saw the potential of nonstop flights to Tahiti and supported us from the moment we announced our intention to start services,” said Mr Lee.
For more information about Air Tahiti Nui, visit www.airtahitinui.com.au – and for specific information about the destination of Tahiti, visit www.tahiti-tourisme.com.au.
Graham Muldoon
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