“The bulk of the return will take place tonight.” For Air Tahiti, amid the ongoing social movement, the logistical challenge of bringing back the Hawaiki Nui Va’a participants unfolds this Friday. Despite the cancellation of 20 flights, the commercial director Vairani Tetaria says we can repatriate everyone. Otherwise, it will be difficult to cope with the limited accommodation options on Bora Bora. The rotations to and from the Raromatai will thus receive particular attention from the company in the coming days.
Two hours after Shell Va’a won the overall standings of the Hawaiki Nui, Air Tahiti held a press conference to take stock of the ongoing strike and its consequences for air traffic. The social movement, led by CSIP, O oe to oe rima and the flight-crew union, brings together about forty strikers at the Tahiti-Faa’a airport picket line. Since its onset on Thursday, October 22, it has nonetheless affected nearly 30,000 passengers.
The Friday continues. Of the 46 flights originally scheduled, 20 were canceled. Since the start of the strike, Air Tahiti says it has covered 70% of its flight program and carried 95% of passengers aboard its own aircraft. The remaining 5% were redirected to other means of transport, including Air Moana, Air Tetiaroa, the Apetahi Express, or the Vaearai.
No choice, no room in Bora
The Hawaiki Nui has not yet delivered its last stroke: the Aere races will take place this Saturday. But for Air Tahiti’s commercial director, Vairani Tetaria, the main logistical challenge is already at stake. “The bulk of the return will take place tonight. We should be able to repatriate everyone,” she asserts. The airline has had to contend with the limited accommodation capacities on Bora Bora to organize the participants’ return.
15 flights for the Raromatai
Another challenge for Air Tahiti: restoring service to the islands hardest hit by the strike. The Raromatai will receive particular attention, with 15 flights dedicated out of the 26 rotations scheduled for Friday. Other islands such as Niau and Kaukura also have their Saturday flights confirmed. The same goes for Mataiva, which typically accounts for seven weekly rotations but had not been served for several days. The atoll will finally regain an air link this weekend.
The call center remains open all weekend, as well as the company’s headquarters opposite the airport. The city office will close its doors only on Sunday.
