French Polynesia's opposition Tahoeraa Huiraatira Party has come out against plans of a French low-cost airline to fly between Paris and Tahiti.
The airline French Blue has been in discussions with the French Polynesian government about launching flights via San Francisco from next year at fares about 30 percent lower than offered now.
Tahiti Nui TV said it's understood that the government approved an application but there had been no official announcement.
Photo: siwasasil/123RF
The Tahoeraa leader Gaston Flosse said he was strongly opposed to the project, saying low cost one-way tickets will be dangerous for both the traveller and the local community.
He said French Polynesia is a high cost destination and for certain travellers the dream of going to Tahiti would turn into a nightmare.
Mr Flosse said the territory already had its unemployed and homeless to cope with.
He said this comes as plans are afoot with Hainan Airlines to launch charter flights from China for the high-end market.