| Faa'a International Airport Aéroport International Tahiti Faa'a |
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|---|---|---|---|
| IATA: PPT – ICAO: NTAA
PPT
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| Summary | |||
| Airport type | Public | ||
| Operator | SETIL - Aéroports | ||
| Serves | Tahiti, French Polynesia | ||
| Location | Papeete | ||
| Hub for | Air Tahiti Air Tahiti Nui |
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| Elevation AMSL | 5 ft / 2 m | ||
| Website | |||
| Runways | |||
| Direction | Length | Surface | |
| m | ft | ||
| 04/22 | 3,420 | 11,220 | Bitumen |
| Sources: French AIP[1] | |||
Faa'a International Airport or Tahiti Faa'a International Airport (French: Aéroport International Tahiti Faa'a) (IATA: PPT, ICAO: NTAA) is located in the commune (municipality) of Faa'a, on the island of Tahiti, French Polynesia, 5 km (3.1 mi) west southwest[1] from the town center of Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia.[1] It is the only airport in French Polynesia serving international flights.
Because of limited level terrain, rather than leveling large stretches of sloping agricultural land, the airport is built primarily on reclaimed land on the coral reef just off-shore. The airport, operated by Setil Aéroports, has a single 3,420 m (11,220 ft) runway,[1] large and sound enough to accommodate all commercial and military aircraft.
Air Tahiti has its head office on the airport property.[2]
Contents |
| Airlines | Destinations |
|---|---|
| Air France | Los Angeles, Paris-Charles de Gaulle [resumes 28 March 2012] |
| Air Moorea | Moorea |
| Air New Zealand | Auckland |
| Air Tahiti | Ahe, Atuona, Arutua, Bora Bora, Fakarava, Gambier, Hao, Huahine, Kaukura, Manihi, Maupiti, Makemo, Moorea, Matavia, Nuku Hiva, Raiatea, Rangiroa, Rarotonga, Rimatara, Rurutu, Raivavae, Tikehau, Takapoto, Takaroa, Tubuai, Ua Huka, Ua Pou |
| Air Tahiti Nui | Auckland, Los Angeles, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Tokyo-Narita Seasonal: Sydney |
| Aircalin | Nouméa |
| Hawaiian Airlines | Honolulu |
| LAN Airlines | Hanga Roa, Santiago de Chile |
The Faaa International Airport is a relatively small airport. Air Tahiti has flights every day going to all the other islands in French Polynesia while international flights go to different countries such as the United States or New Zealand. The airport is on Tahiti which is an island among the Windward Islands: the eastern part of the Society Islands. Moorea can be seen across the Pacific Ocean and Mount Tohivea is a major mountain on Moorea. The airport has a 70 foot tall control tower and one long runway for both French Polynesia flights over to other islands, and international flights going out of the territory.
There are five terminals within one main building. Terminal 2 is the busiest terminal with cafés and souvenir shops. There is an area called the Mahina Lounge. There is one McDonald's at the airport and it is one of the only McDonald's in all of French Polynesia. The conveyor belts are rubber and transport luggage about 40 feet. The floors in all of the terminals are brown tile. There are metal chairs and wooden benches throughout the airport in which people wait for the bus or other islanders to pick them up.
The Mahina Lounge is a small airside after the security area. The Mahina Lounge consists of a small café, a jewelry boutique, and a souvenir shop. The café has only a few chairs and offers wine, French pastries, and other foods. The small restaurant is called the Faaa Cafe and is near the entrance to the Mahina Lounge. The jewelry shop offers Tahitian jewelry and some dresses. The souvenir shop offers postcards, magnets, T-shirts and Tahitian magazines. The souvenir shop has a border with the jewelry shop and people are allowed to go through the border when they have purchased their souvenirs. The open area of the lounge contains 50 purple seats in five rows. When the passengers are ready, they get to go to the departure gate which just behind a wall.
McDonald's is at terminal 2 and is close to the conveyor belts. The café of terminal 4 is a major café at the airport and also in all of Tahiti. There is a small grass ceiling over the café and people can hear the airplanes landing and taking off.
The airport is located just south of the town center of Papeete, on the island of Tahiti, in the commune of Faaa, the largest commune of French Polynesia. Tahiti is located in the northwestern part of French Polynesia, and has the only international airport in the territory. The Papenoo River is the closest river to the airport. Mount Orohena is a major mountain inland from the airport. There is a small pass between the land and the coral reef where people sometimes swim. The airport is built on some coral reef because of the limited flat land. Just to the north of the airport is a small public beach of Papeete. The airport runway keeps going until it finally ends. To the south of the airport is a small bay where Tahiti's west coast freeway turns inland.
Many buses come into the airport from Papeete, the main bus being the Faaa airport shuttle which goes along Tahiti's west coast freeway, which passes in front of the main terminal. The parking lot has traffic guards in which 3,000 people pass through each month. The parking lot has one tiki.