Auckland Airport welcomed the new Air Tahiti Nui Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft today at a special ceremony at the International Terminal.
The arrival marks the 20th anniversary of operations for the airline and the commencement of the aircraft flying on the Auckland to Papaeete route three times a week.
Auckland Airport’s general manager aeronautical commercial, Scott Tasker said: “We welcome the new Tahitian Dreamliner to Auckland and New Zealand. The stunning new aircraft will provide an enhanced in comfort and convenience for travellers heading to French Polynesia and its beautiful islands and will also enable increased trade flows between the two countries.”
The new aircraft is the first of five new Dreamliners that will replace its current fleet of five airbus Airbus A340-300s. Each will have 30 business class seats, 32 premium economy seats and 232 economy seats.
Tasker said Auckland Airport is “very proud” of its position as the most connected hub for the South Pacific with regular direct services to nine destinations in the South Pacific operated by six airlines.
“Auckland has the largest share of connecting passenger traffic between the rest of the world and the Pacific Islands, with 22% of all connecting passenger traffic coming through this airport to and from the rest of the world,” added Tasker.
