Papeete Tahiti Faa’a International Airport (PPT/NTAA) is French Polynesia’s major airport, located on the island of Tahiti in the town of Faa’a close to its capital Papete serving the whole country as major gateway – this all leads to the airports long name. The airport was opened in 1960 and allowed direct services to Papeete as French Polynesias capital: before that point, all aircraft arrived at Bora Bora (still remaning the countries longest runway as once built by US millitary) and then being connected by Short S.25 Sandringham seaplanes to the island of Tahiti with Papeete as capital.

After the opening of PPT, the airport gained more and more routes. Today it handles 1,7 million passenger a year: most of them arriving from/departing to overseas like New Zealand, Japan or the US and spreading the people all over the islands of French Polynesia: Moorea, Bora Bora, Tumaraa and many more. Thus the traffic consists out of widebodies (local Air Tahiti Nui or intl. carriers like United, FrenchBlue or Air New Zealand) plus the local carriers with their ATR42/72s such as Air Moana, Air Tahiti, NewCaledonian and some general aviation. From time to time you may also see some military movements.

Written by John Marzo and A. Hackenberger. Last Update: Summer 2025

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
04/22	3420m (11.220ft)
Terminals
T1	There is one terminal handling all operations: intl and domestic.
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not needed.
Car/Public Transport	Recommended, but you can also get around by foot or take a cab or similar service.
Drinks/Food	There are shops and restaurants all along the streets here.
Hotels	The Tahiti Airport Motel offers great views – find out more at spot #2.
Season	The traffic is similar all day, however from march to september you will have smoother light in the morning, but backlight the rest of the day as the north of the airport is surrounded by water only. During the months from october to february you can spot all day, but the light may be quite harsh from above.
Security	Spotting is no issue here at all although it is absolutely not common/known.
Runway Usage
General Info	During our stay in august, 04 direction seemed to be used more often.

	Spot #1 – Parc paysager de Outuaraea – 04 Departures
WHERE	This spot is located in the Parc paysager de Outuaraea with its southwestern “front” offering nice views onto parts of the runway and aircraft above after departing runway 04. The parc is available to anybody, it is not clear if there are any opening times or fees to enter.
WHAT	From here you can see aircraft leaving runway 04; the runway itsself is not really visible thus all other movements won’t be properly spotable.
TIME	March-September: only in the early morning hours. October-February: all day, although the sun will be very steep from above around noon.
MISC.	Some shops and restaurants are around here outside the parc.
FOCAL LENGTH	Should be 70-300mm

We cannot provide any examples ourselves, but pictures taken here look like THIS. The view/area looks like THIS.

	Spot #2 – Tahiti Airport Motel – 04/22 Movements
WHERE	This spot is located at the Tahitit Airport Motel: one of the most common accomodations once flying in/out of Papeete as most flights arrive/leave around midnight or early morning. The motel offers two balconies at the northern end allowing nice views onto airport movements. It is unclear, how accessable these are for non-hotel guests, but you can also stand on the nearby road/in the driveway in the worst case.
WHAT	From here you can see the runway 04/22 with all movements plus the apron and taxiway parts just in front.
TIME	March-September: only in the early morning hours. October-February: all day, although the sun will be very steep from above around noon.
MISC.	Heat haze can become an issue during the day, but normally that is no issue in the morning once the light is good. Be aware that the windows are tinted and dirty, so we recommend to get out of the room onto the balcony for pictures, if you are already here 😀
FOCAL LENGTH	200-400mm B772 side shot = 220mm

PPT-Spot2

PPT-Spot2

PPT-Spot2

	Spot #3 – Parc Tahua Motu Ovini – 04 Arrivals + 22 Departures
WHERE	This spot is located southwest of the airfield in the Parc Tahua Motu Ovini, which is opened everyday from 7-19 o’clock. In the middle of the park you will find some walkways and a small chalet between some trees. Simply look for a position offering clean views onto the approach path or at some points you can even see the runway.
WHAT	From here you can spot aircraft arriving runway 04 plus those leaving via runway 22. From some points you can even see the runway’s end thus also aircraft turning prior 04 departure, but the view is quite tricky and blocked.
TIME	March-September: only in the early morning hours. October-February: all day, although the sun will be very steep from above around noon.
MISC.	To the east you will find some shops/restaurants. It is not clear if there are any fees to enter. Be aware that the view may be limited by some power lines/trees/fences in between so look for a clean view.
FOCAL LENGTH	Should be 70-300mm

We cannot provide any examples taken here. Please let us know, if you have taken some pictures here.