Air Tahiti Nui is continuing its expansion in the Pacific. The company, which already serves Papeete fromAuckland in New Zealand, announces the opening of a new direct route between Papeete and Sydney (PPT-SYD). This new route is part of the airline's strategy to strengthen French Polynesia's long-term connectivity with the major hubs of the South Pacific.
The route is scheduled to launch on Monday 14 December 2026. Air Tahiti Nui will operate two flights a week, offering travellers a direct and regular non-stop option between Tahiti and Australia. This route will significantly reduce journey times and simplify travel between the two territories.
For the winter season, from 14 December 2026 to 25 March 2027, flights will leave Papeete on Mondays and Thursdays at 12.10pm, arriving in Sydney at 5.45pm the following day. Return flights will leave Sydney on Tuesdays and Fridays at 8.10pm and land in Papeete at 6.25am.
During the summer season, from 29 March to 28 October 2027, the timetables will change slightly. Papeete-Sydney flights will continue to depart on Mondays and Thursdays at 12:10pm, arriving in Sydney at 5pm the following day. Return flights will leave Sydney at 7.10pm from 6 April 2027, arriving in Papeete at 6.05am.
The opening of the line, confirmed for the time being, could nevertheless be delayed if the tensions in the Middle East - and consequently soaring oil prices - continue. This could jeopardise the financial equilibrium of such a line.
Australia, a major market for Polynesia
This new service comes at a time when Tahiti and its islands are confirming their appeal to the Australian market, considered to be one of the most dynamic international markets for the destination.
According to provisional figures from the ISPF (Institut de la statistique de la Polynésie française), French Polynesia welcomed almost 279,000 tourists in 2025, a new visitor record that continues the strong recovery seen in recent years. Of these, 8,165 were Australian visitors.
" We are delighted to announce this new direct service between Papeete and Sydney.says Lionel Guérin, CEO of Air Tahiti Nui. With two direct flights a week and thanks to the codeshare agreement with Qantas, this route will offer Australian travellers greater comfort and more frequency, particularly in combination with our twice-weekly service to Auckland in New Zealand.e".
The official opening of sales is scheduled for March.
