Call by Tahiti government to restore Marquesas air links

7:17 pm on 28 May 2019

The French Polynesian government has urged the resumption of flights to two islands in the Marquesas group whose air links were cut nearly two weeks ago.

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Photo: 123rf

The deterioration of the runways on Ua Pou and Ua Huka prompted Air Archipels to suspend its service without notice, affecting about 3,000 residents.

The decision followed an inspection at the beginning of the year but discussions this week suggested that the state of the runways is not bad enough to warrant a stop to all flights.

While more studies are being planned it has also been agreed to trim trees near the Ua Pou airfield and to curb traffic near the terminal building.

The government has reminded the airline of its obligations under the operating licence to service the entire territory, and therefore resume flights to the two islands right away.

Air Archipels is a subsidiary of Air Tahiti.