The airline French Blue has confirmed that it will launch flights to French Polynesia in May.
Photo: Supplied
The announcement came a day after the French Polynesian government approved an application by the Paris-based low-cost airline.
French Blue says it will fly twice a week between Paris and Tahiti via San Francisco, using a new Airbus A350-900 with more than 400 seats.
A third weekly flight will be added during the high season.
Fares have not been released yet but reports suggests they will be up to 30 percent lower than those of the two other carriers to Paris, Air Tahiti Nui and Air France.
In a statement, French Blue said it was looking at hiring staff, including in French Polynesia.
French Blue currently has flights to the Caribbean and to Reunion in the Indian Ocean.
Last week, the opposition Tahoeraa Huiraatira Party strongly criticised the plan to allow a low-cost airline to fly to Tahiti.
It said French Polynesia was a high-cost destination and for certain travellers the dream of going to Tahiti would turn into a nightmare.