French Polynesia plans to build a second international airport to support economic development in the Tuamotu archipelago.
Rangiroa is one of the largest atolls in the world Photo: Google Maps
Discussing long-term plans, a senior minister Jean-Christophe Bouissou told the region's politicians that the airport on Rangiroa could be expanded to accommodate international flights.
He said studies showed such an upgrade, which he said would cost about $US30 million, would also allow aircraft to land if diverted from Tahiti.
Such flights now have to go to the Cook Islands.
The deputy mayor of Rangiroa Felix Tetua told local media that an airport expansion should be accompanied by the construction of another village on Rangiroa which is one of the world's largest atolls.
The territory's only international airport is on Tahiti but for years there have been calls to add another one in the Marquesas.