How is Air Tahiti Nui's business doing?
Jean-Marc Hastings - Air Tahiti Nui has returned to a normal commercial cycle. Demand is sustained but rational. The "revenge travel" period that appeared after Covid is over. The airline is recording good passenger numbers, thanks to both early bookings and last-minute bookings, whether via tour operators, leisure and business travel agencies or direct. Air Tahiti Nui offers a well-identified and well-established product on the market, with an all-inclusive offer including baggage and on-board catering. It's clearer for the customer and corresponds to what our tourism partners are looking for.
Will your company benefit from the Olympic surfing events in Tahiti?
J.-M. H. - The Olympic Games won't bring us a lot of extra traffic, but it will be good for Polynesia through global communication during the events. We hope after-effects. Tahiti is part of the current travel trend, a safe destination offering discoveries, experiences, authenticity and real exchanges with the local population.
Now that Air Tahiti Nui is also serving the future Olympic city in 2028, how would you assess your service to Los Angeles and now Seattle?
J.-M. H. - The United States is a very attractive destination, but competition from other airlines is strong. With 30 seats in Business and 32 in Premium, Paris-Los Angeles is a success for leisure and business alikeWith a lot of bleisure, there's a fine line between the two segments. Seattle, which we added to our network in June 2023, is gradually taking its place. This opens up a new market for us on the other side of the Atlantic and means we can offer more frequencies between Paris and Tahiti. Visit Seattle and Washington State are also helping us to promote the destination on the French market. With satisfactory results, the route is also benefiting from our partnership with Alaska Airlines. As for Los Angeles, Air Tahiti Nui benefits from an agreement with American Airlines which enables us to offer our customers connections to 36 cities on its American network. Conversely, American also applies its codes to our transatlantic and transpacific flights.
Does the company have any other projects in the pipeline?
J.-M. H. - We are in a consolidation phase and have no plans to open a third service between Paris and the United States. However, Air Tahiti Nui will be operating the Papeete-Tokyo with two flights a week. The aim is to perpetuate this route, which was discontinued during Covid and re-launched on a seasonal basis last winter. As a reminder, the airline already serves Auckland, New Zealand, with two to three flights a week depending on the season. On another front, the entertainment offer will be improved to provide passengers with more content. The number of films offered to passengers will more than double.
What do business customers represent for your company?
J.-M. H. - The company has loyal customers who are satisfied with our product and prices. With two routes to the United States, we reach business travellers who are mainly looking for point-to-point on an aircraft that's not too big, with a personalised service. To Polynesia, Air Tahiti Nui handles a stable corporate segment, both companies and public bodies present there. Our strength lies in the flexibility with which tickets can be purchased. We have an excellent business product that suits both business and leisure passengers, as bleisure is often a component of a trip to Polynesia.
Are you trying to develop this business customer base?
J.-M. H. - Yes, we do. Our sales team approaches target companies. They promote our product to TMCs, distribution networks and travel agencies. Air Tahiti Nui's positioning is certainly more leisure-oriented, but our top-of-the-range business offer also appeals to corporate customers. This class is obviously the one chosen by employees who are authorised to fly long-haul in Business as part of the company's travel policy. But Premium Economy is also popular with these business customers, when comfort and price are paramount. Especially as passengers also benefit from priority check-in and boarding. I would also like to point out that it is possible to combine the two classes, with a seat in Premium on the outward leg to Paris-Papeete, which is a day flight, and a seat in Business on the return leg, as the flights include two nights on board.
What are Air Tahiti Nui's strengths?
J.-M. H. - We offer an immersive experience, a Tahitian touch from the moment you board and throughout your flight. So you're not in the airplane of some other major airline, but on board Air Tahiti Nui. The quality of our product is recognised. Air Tahiti Nui was named a "5-star airline" in the 2024 rankings drawn up by the American association Apex (The Airline Passanger Experience Association). The airline has a strong case to make and regularly receives awards, particularly for its wine and catering.
What are ATN's social and environmental commitments?
J.-M. H. - The environment is obviously one of our priorities. Air Tahiti Nui has the youngest fleet on the market on its axles, having been renewed to 100% before Covid. We are taking full advantage of the performance of these aircraft, which have reduced fuel consumption and CO2 of 25%. Operations have also been improved in terms of taxiing and the use of more efficient shipping lanes. Initiatives to recycle on board and reduce the use of plastic have also been implemented. In 2018, the airline moved its headquarters in Papeete to a building with HQE (High Environmental Quality) certification. On the social front, Air Tahiti Nui is the largest employer in Polynesia with 750 employees. As such, we have a strong social commitment. The airline has a duty to set an example for local players on a number of issues, such as choosing eco-responsible service providers, supporting local initiatives and talent, and ecological actions to protect coral and marine biodiversity...
