14 Sep 2017

New airline planned for French Polynesia

7:15 am on 14 September 2017

Reports from French Polynesia say plans are afoot to launch a new domestic airline.

Air Calin planes at Tontouta Airport in New Caledonia

Air Calin planes at Tontouta Airport in New Caledonia Photo: AFP

Tahiti media said New Caledonia-based businessman Bill Ravel was, this week, expected to lodge an application to set up an airline called Islands.

Mr Ravel, who founded Air Calin, is reportedly planning to get two Embraer aircraft and fly to the territory's five archipelagos.

He told Radio1 that he expected to undercut Air Tahiti's fares by 15 to 20 percent.

Other investors are said to be joining his latest venture, but he has declined to name them.

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