Naiu Airport (NIU)

Niau Airport, identified by the codes NTKN and NIU, is the sole airfield serving the remote atoll of Niau in the Tuamotu Archipelago of French Polynesia. As a vital piece of infrastructure, it provides an essential link for the small local community, connecting residents to the administrative and economic hub of Tahiti for supplies, healthcare, and transport. The airport is also the primary point of entry for the limited number of tourists who visit the atoll, known for its unique ecosystem as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Inaugurated in 1979, the airport's construction marked a significant development for Niau, drastically reducing the atoll's isolation. Prior to its opening, all travel and freight depended on infrequent and lengthy sea voyages. The airstrip’s creation fundamentally changed life on the island by enabling rapid transportation and improving access to essential services, becoming a cornerstone of the community’s connection to the wider world.

The airport is conveniently located on the main motu (islet), less than two kilometers from the principal village of Tupana. Given the atoll's compact size, access is straightforward. There are no public transport services, taxis, or rental car agencies on Niau. Instead, travelers are met upon arrival by representatives from their pre-booked guesthouses (*pensions*), who provide transfers by car or truck as part of their service. These transfers must be arranged in advance.

All flight operations at Niau are domestic and are exclusively handled by the territorial airline, Air Tahiti. The airline provides scheduled, albeit infrequent, service connecting Niau with Faa'a International Airport (PPT) in Papeete. Flights typically operate a few times per week and are the only regular air link to the atoll, serving a very small volume of passengers.

Reflecting its function as a remote island airfield, the facilities are minimal. The "terminal" is a small, open-air shelter containing a single check-in desk and a modest waiting area with benches. There are no shops, restaurants, or lounges. Amenities are limited to basic restrooms. Baggage claim is a simple process, with luggage brought from the aircraft to the arrivals area on a cart.

For those traveling through Niau Airport, it is crucial to have all transport and accommodation arranged before arrival. Arriving approximately 60 minutes before a departing flight is generally sufficient. As flight schedules can be subject to delays, particularly due to weather, travelers connecting to international flights in Papeete should build a generous buffer into their itineraries. Visitors should carry their own snacks and water, as no provisions are available for purchase at the airport.