Actualités

Air Tahiti serves 48 destinations across 5 archipelagos in French Polynesia as well as the Cook Islands, covering a territory as vast as Europe or North America. Due to its geographic isolation and its experience with the use of ATR aircraft, Air Tahiti has been led to take on a significant portion of the maintenance of its planes, gaining recognition over the years from the aircraft manufacturer ATR and other regional airlines.

A Regional Center of Excellence for ATR Maintenance

Supported by growing global demand, the maintenance market, or MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul), is currently experiencing unprecedented growth.
This project, which aims to give a new dimension to the Air Tahiti MRO center, stems from the shared desire of the authorities of French Polynesia, the French State, and Air Tahiti to revitalize the existing offer and create a regional center of excellence for ATR, both in the fields of maintenance and training. It aims to provide the Eastern Pacific with the full range of maintenance services and certified training necessary for the various airlines operating in the region.

It will offer opportunities for young Polynesians to access aviation maintenance career paths and will support the upskilling of local technicians already working in these professions, thereby benefiting the entire overseas community.

The different stakeholders gathered on October 24, 2025, at 10 a.m. at the French High Commission in Papeete-Tahiti to sign a Declaration of Intent. The signing took place in the presence of the French High Commissioner, Mr. Rochatte Alexandre, the President of French Polynesia, Mr. Moetai Brotherson, a representative of the aircraft manufacturer ATR, Mr. Raimana Chauvin, and the CEO of Air Tahiti, Mr. Edouard Wong Fat, accompanied by the Director of the Technical Center, Mr. Thierry Caer.

An Ambitious Project

The new Air Tahiti MRO center project aims to expand and resize the current technical center to meet a wide range of needs expressed by local and regional airlines. It will be located on the Tahiti-Faa’a airport platform and will adhere to the highest international standards.
Specific working groups will be established within the different entities to carry out the project, in collaboration with all stakeholders.

This is a great source of pride and a wonderful recognition of the skills and expertise of the Polynesian workforce, demonstrated by all the teams at Air Tahiti’s Technical Center.

Air Tahiti’s Current Maintenance Center, a Recognized Hub of Expertise

Air Tahiti has been operating ATR aircraft since 1987, nearly 40 years.
The maintenance and upkeep of the fleet are governed by very strict procedures set by the aircraft manufacturer, equipment suppliers (industrial suppliers of onboard equipment), and regulatory authorities such as Civil Aviation.
Air Tahiti holds certifications issued by the authorities, enabling it to carry out significant maintenance operations and inspections itself.
To maintain these certifications, the airline is regularly audited on its operations and the competence of its staff in this area.

High-Flying Skills

The team at Air Tahiti's Technical Center, located at the Tahiti-Faa’a airport platform, is made up of 110 qualified technicians, covering the entire range of tasks required for aviation maintenance.

The center’s workshops include :

• Avionics,
• Major assemblies (engines, propellers, etc.)
• Mechanics
• Sheet metal work
• Painting
• SAR/Armament (for exemple, seats; life vests, cabin equipment, etc.)