Faa'a International Airport (PPT)
Papeete, PF 🇵🇫 Large International Airport Scheduled Service
ICAO
NTAA
IATA
PPT
Elevation
5 ft
Region
PF-U-A
Local Time
Loading...
Loading...Airport Information
GPS Code: NTAA
Local Code: Not available
Location: -17.553699° N, -149.606995° E
Continent: Oceania
Type: Large International Airport
What Travelers Say
Share Your Tip
Help fellow travelers by sharing your experience at Faa'a International Airport. Tips are reviewed before publishing.
Online Reviews Summary
Faa'a International Airport (PPT) in Papeete generally offers a mixed but often positively memorable experience for travelers, frequently praised for its unique Polynesian charm upon arrival. While functional aspects like facilities and amenities can be considered dated or limited compared to larger international hubs, the overall sentiment is often shaped by the warm cultural welcome and relative efficiency for arrivals.
What Travelers Love
- Traditional Polynesian Welcome: Many travelers are delighted by the warm reception, often including local music and fresh flower leis upon arrival, creating an enchanting first impression of French Polynesia.
- Family-Friendly Features: The airport includes a children's play area and bathrooms with baby changing tables and even basic showers, which are appreciated by families traveling with young children.
- Efficient Arrivals (Generally): Due to the airport's smaller size, immigration and baggage claim processes are typically quick and straightforward for arrivals.
- Dedicated Workspace with Charging: An upstairs workspace with desks, electrical outlets, and USB ports provides a quiet area for those needing to work or charge devices, located conveniently near the children's play area.
- Convenient Ground Transportation and Parking: A variety of transportation options are available, including taxis, buses, and shuttle services, making transfers to hotels or cruise ports straightforward. The airport also offers three parking lots (P0, P1, P2) catering to different needs, from quick drop-offs to economical long-term stays, with some free initial parking periods.
Common Complaints
- Lack of Air Conditioning: A frequent complaint is the absence of air conditioning, making the airport quite warm and humid, especially during longer waits.
- Limited Airside Food and Shopping Options: The international terminal, in particular, is noted for having poor food and beverage choices and limited shopping amenities once past security. Landside offers more variety, including a McDonald's.
- Dated Facilities and Amenities: Skytrax, an airport rating organization, certifies PPT as a 3-Star Airport, noting its facilities are dated and lack amenities expected from an international terminal, such as sufficient seat power and free Wi-Fi limited to 30 minutes.
- Inefficient Security and Immigration (Departures): Travelers, particularly for international flights, report that security and immigration can be slow and inefficient, leading to long wait times. It is strongly recommended to arrive at least 3 hours before international departures.
- Noisy Workspace: While a positive, the proximity of the workspace to the children's play area can make it noisy for those without children seeking a quiet environment.
Overall, Faa'a International Airport provides a charming and unique cultural introduction to French Polynesia, with notable efforts to be family-friendly and offer practical transport. However, travelers should manage expectations regarding modern amenities, air conditioning, and the efficiency of departure processes, especially during peak times. Planning for early arrival for international flights is highly advisable.
Researching traveler experiences online...
Community Tips
No community tips yet for Faa'a International Airport.
Be the first to share a helpful tip for fellow travelers!
Current Weather Conditions
Loading weather data...
Airport Routes
Faa'a International Airport (PPT) offers 57 flight routes operated by 9 airlines. Major carriers include Air Tahiti, NATRA AIR, Air Tahiti Nui and others. Popular destinations from Papeete include Los Angeles Intl, Auckland, Bora Bora (Motu-Mute), San Francisco Int'l and Fare.
Route Network Map
Top Routes (by observations)
Newly Discovered
- Fare (HUH) new
- Rangiroa (RGI) new
- Temae (MOZ) new
- Uturoa (RFP) new
- Bora Bora (Motu-Mute) (BOB) new
- Los Angeles Intl (LAX) new
- Narita Int'l (NRT) new
- Nuku Hiva (NHV) new
- Tureia Airport (ZTA) new
- Auckland (AKL) new
- Arutua (AXR) new
- Atuona (AUQ) new
Popular Flight Routes
| Destination | IATA | City | Aircraft Type | Airline | Details | Route Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Loading...
Loading routes...
|
||||||
Top Airlines
Operating at Faa'a International AirportAirlines by Flight Activity
Based on observed flight operations and route network| Airline | Routes | Flights | Destinations | Last Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Air Tahiti
VTA
/ VT
|
32 | 1278 | 32 | Feb 2, 2026 |
|
NATRA AIR
NTR
/ NM
|
7 | 301 | 7 | Feb 2, 2026 |
|
Air Tahiti Nui
THT
/ TN
|
4 | 198 | 4 | Feb 2, 2026 |
Air France
AFR
/ AF
|
1 | 67 | 1 | Feb 2, 2026 |
Air New Zealand
ANZ
/ NZ
|
1 | 58 | 1 | Jan 24, 2026 |
United
UAL
/ UA
|
1 | 45 | 1 | Feb 1, 2026 |
|
French Bee
FBU
/ BF
|
1 | 40 | 1 | Jan 16, 2026 |
|
Hawaiian Airlines
HAL
/ HA
|
1 | 17 | 1 | Feb 1, 2026 |
|
Air Caledonie International
ACI
/ SB
|
1 | 3 | 1 | Oct 22, 2025 |
For Pilots
| Designation | Length | Width | Surface | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
04/22 |
11360 ft | 148 ft | ASP | Active Lighted |
| Type | Description | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| APP | APP | 118.1 MHz |
| ATIS | ATIS | 128.8 MHz |
| GND | GND | 121.9 MHz |
| TWR | TWR | 118.1 MHz |
Ground Transportation
Taxis
Taxis are readily available 24/7 outside the arrivals hall. Fares are regulated and metered, but they are significantly higher at night (from 8 PM to 6 AM), on Sundays, and on public holidays. It is a convenient but more expensive option for getting to your destination.
Rental Cars
Several car rental agencies, including international brands like Avis, Europcar, and Hertz, have desks located directly in the arrivals hall. Renting a car offers the most flexibility for exploring the island. Booking in advance is highly recommended, especially during peak season.
Public Transportation
The local bus service (RTC) is the most economical option, but it is not ideal for travelers with much luggage. The bus stop is not directly at the terminal; it requires a short walk to the main road. Service can be infrequent, particularly in the evenings and on weekends, so it's best for those with a flexible schedule.