Pacific / French Polynesia

Hainan Airlines plans charter flights to Tahiti

14:54 pm on 19 October 2017

The Chinese carrier Hainan Airlines plans to have three charter flights to Tahiti this month as part of its first foray into French Polynesia.

The Tahiti aiport company said the first Airbus was due this weekend via Auckland and was bringing in the company's top managers.

It said a second plane, a Boeing Dreamliner, was then due from Hong Kong.

The flights come amid talks of a possible regular service between China and Papeete.

The Hainan conglomerate owns two major resorts in French Polynesia - the Hilton in Moorea and Saint Regis in Bora Bora.