Air Tahiti

Air Tahiti maintains a commitment to safety, supported by its modern fleet and internal maintenance capabilities.

• Recent safety record and any notable incidents: Air Tahiti experienced a significant incident on April 18, 1991, when Air Tahiti Flight 805, a Dornier 228, crashed near Nuku Hiva Airport after an engine failure and ditching attempt, resulting in 10 fatalities out of 22 occupants. The investigation cited inappropriate crew response, probable crew intoxication, and deficiencies in training and technical oversight as contributing factors. More recently, minor incidents involving ATR 72 aircraft have been reported: an engine fire in January 2013, an engine failure near Fakarava in October 2023, and a tail strike on landing at Tubuai in January 2020.
• Regulatory certifications: Specific regulatory certifications such as IOSA, FAA compliance, or EU safety list status for Air Tahiti (VTA) were not explicitly mentioned in the provided information.
• Fleet age and maintenance reputation: Air Tahiti operates a relatively young fleet, ranking 2nd in Oceania for the youngest aircraft fleet in 2024, with an average age of 7.16 years for its 11 aircraft. The airline emphasizes its commitment to regularly renewing its aircraft to meet the latest standards in comfort, performance, and safety. The maintenance of Air Tahiti's aircraft is conducted at its own Engineering Centre. Its maintenance expertise is recognized by the manufacturer (ATR) and other regional airlines, with Air Tahiti occasionally performing major maintenance work on ATRs for other companies in the Pacific. The airline has also renewed an eight-year Global Maintenance Agreement (GMA) with ATR, further leveraging the manufacturer's expertise to optimize operations and ensure reliability.
• Overall safety assessment based on available data: Based on the available data, Air Tahiti demonstrates a proactive approach to maintaining a modern fleet and robust in-house maintenance capabilities, which are crucial for safety in regional operations. While it has had incidents in the past, including a fatal one in 1991, the current emphasis on fleet renewal and a recognized maintenance program indicates a strong commitment to operational safety.
• Any safety awards or recognitions: While no specific "safety awards" were identified, Air Tahiti's consistent recognition as "Best Regional Domestic Airline" and "Oceania's Leading Regional Airline" suggests that safety is an implicit foundation for its overall service quality and operational excellence.