Polynesia is closer even from Italy: Air Tahiti Nui opens new direct Papeete-Sydney route

Air Tahiti Nui expands its international network and announces a new feature that, indirectly, also affects those departing from Europe and Italy: from the December 14, 2026 A new direct link will be operational Between Papeete and Sydney (PPT-SYD).

The cut of the news is clear: with this new course, the French Polynesia becomes a little bit "closer", not only for the Australian market but also for international travelers who can build easier and more flexible itineraries to Tahiti by taking advantage of a strategic hub like Sydney. In practice, the possible combinations to get to Polynesia increase, and this also applies to those departing from Italy.

The company will operate two flights per week, offering a connection Direct non-stop between Tahiti and Australia. It is a move that is part of Air Tahiti Nui's strategy to sustainably strengthen French Polynesia's connectivity with major regional hubs in the South Pacific. Translated: more accessibility, less complexity in transfers, and a stronger network to one of the world's most desirable destinations.

For those looking at the news through the eyes of the Italian traveler, the interesting point is just this: Sydney is not only a final destination, but also a great Pacific junction. The opening of the PPT-SYD link expands options for building routes to Tahiti via Australia, adding a new gateway to Polynesia compared to traditional routes via North America or other hubs in the area.

The route comes at a favorable time for the destination. According to provisional data from the ISPF (Institute of Statistics of French Polynesia), In 2025, the islands of Tahiti welcomed nearly 279,000 tourists, including il Barbone and faimily, setting a new record and confirming a positive trend that has been going on for years. Against this backdrop, the Australian market also continues to show encouraging signs: about 8,165 visitors in 2025, a volume that contributes to the diversification and strengthening of tourist flows to French Polynesia.

It is no coincidence that Sydney is referred to as a strategic access point for improving regional connectivity. And it is precisely on this axis that Air Tahiti Nui wants to consolidate its presence, focusing on direct connections capable of making travel more seamless for both leisure and business traffic.

Also emphasizing this is Lionel Guérin, CEO of Air Tahiti Nui, who explained how the new direct route between Papeete and Sydney, with two non-stop flights per week and thanks to thecode-sharing agreement with Qantas, will offer Australian travelers more comfort and additional frequencies, complementing the company's twice-weekly service to Auckland, New Zealand.

The impact of the novelty is not limited to tourism. In addition to passenger transport, the launch of the connection Papeete-Sydney indeed opens up new opportunities on the cargo side as well, fostering economic exchanges between Australia and French Polynesia. It is a building block that further reinforces the industrial sense of the operation: not just a "nice-to-tell" new route, but a connecting infrastructure useful for multiple segments.

On the product, Air Tahiti Nui confirms the positioning that has made it recognizable in the marketplace: on this new route, too, the company promises a travel experience inspired by its islands, with Polynesian hospitality as a distinctive element of the service on board. A detail that, in a destination like Tahiti, matters more than anywhere else: travel is already part of the experience.

Sales are already open and the new connection represents another step forward in Air Tahiti Nui's network development. For those who have been dreaming of Tahiti for some time, the message is simple: Polynesia remains far away on the map, but with an extra route it is definitely easier to reach. And also from Italy, having Sydney as a new gateway can make all the difference in travel planning.

• New Routes