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Fa'a'ā International Airport
Papeete, French Polynesia
Fa'a'ā International Airport
French Polynesia's gateway to paradise in the South Pacific.
- ›The airport is built on reclaimed land along the lagoon shoreline of northwestern Tahiti.
- ›Air Tahiti Nui, French Polynesia's flag carrier, is headquartered adjacent to the airport.
- ›The single runway (03/21) is approximately 3,420 meters long, capable of handling wide-body aircraft.
- ›The airport name references the commune of Fa'a'ā in which it is located, distinct from Papeete city proper.
- ›Due to its mid-Pacific location, many flights arrive and depart in the early morning hours.
Fa'a'ā International Airport is the main international gateway to French Polynesia, situated on the island of Tahiti just a few kilometres west of Papeete. Opened in 1962 and built on reclaimed land along the lagoon shore, it serves as the hub for Air Tahiti and Air Tahiti Nui, connecting the archipelago to long-haul destinations across the Pacific, Americas, and Europe. Its open-air design and dramatic mountain backdrop give it a distinctly tropical character unlike most international airports.
- International Terminal — Handles all long-haul and international flights, featuring immigration, customs, duty-free retail, and interisland transfer connections.
- Domestic Terminal — Serves Air Tahiti's extensive interisland network linking Tahiti to the Marquesas, Tuamotu, Society, and Austral Islands.
- Le Truck public bus service along the coastal road toward Papeete city centre
- Licensed taxis available outside the arrivals hall (metered, fares higher at night)
- Car rental desks in the arrivals area including Avis, Europcar, and Hertz
- Hotel shuttle buses operated by major resort properties on Tahiti
- Private transfer services bookable in advance for resort and marina destinations
- Intercontinental Tahiti Resort & Spa
- Manava Suite Resort Tahiti
- Tahiti Airport Motel
- Le Méridien Tahiti
- Sofitel Tahiti Ia Ora Beach Resort
Inside the airport, dining options are modest, with a café and snack bar in both terminals offering sandwiches, pastries, and local fruit juices alongside standard beverages. The nearby Fa'a'ā township has small local roulottes — Tahitian food trucks — serving poisson cru, grilled meats, and Chinese-influenced Polynesian dishes at very affordable prices. Papeete's bustling waterfront roulotte market, about 6 kilometres away, is a beloved local institution well worth the short taxi ride.
- Confirm your interisland domestic connection early — Air Tahiti has strict baggage weight limits that differ from international allowances.
- Taxis do not use apps; agree on the fare before departing or confirm the meter is running, especially for late-night arrivals.
- The airport sits on reclaimed coral land next to the lagoon — bring mosquito repellent if waiting outdoors during dawn or dusk.
- Currency exchange is available at the airport but CFP francs (XPF) can be harder to source abroad, so exchange on arrival.
AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.
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Faaʼa International Airport, also known as Tahiti International Airport, is the international airport of French Polynesia, located in the commune of Faʼaʼā, on the island of Tahiti. It is situated 5 km (3.1 mi) southwest of Papeete, the capital city of the overseas collectivity. It opened in 1960. Regional air carrier Air Tahiti and international air carrier Air Tahiti Nui are both based at the airport.
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