PAPEETE – Air Tahiti Nui will suspend direct flights between Sydney and Papeete, Tahiti, from April until October, 2009.
Subject to Government approval, the airline will offer three weekly flights from Sydney via Auckland, with trans Tasman sectors operated by code-share partner Qantas and Auckland-Papeete services operated by Air Tahiti Nui.
“This decision has been made as a result of the ongoing global economic crisis,†said Craig Lee, regional director Australia for Air Tahiti Nui.
Lee said travel to Tahiti had been strong from Australia, but the global financial crisis meant the airline had to consider new ways of achieving significant cost reductions while continuing to offer services throughout the network.
“This reduction in flights is part of a broader programme to cut costs worldwide during the northern summer schedule period, while continuing to offer passengers the ability to fly with us to Tahiti,†said Lee.
“Offering services via Auckland enables us to continue providing service to the Australian market. We will review this arrangement when economic conditions allow.â€
Air Tahiti Nui will continue to operate its Sydney sales office.
