The Polynesian competition authority, Autorité polynésienne de la concurrence (APC), has approved the sale of Air Tahiti Nui's rotary-wing subsidiary, Tahiti Nui Helicopters (TNH), to Tavake, a company associated with the beverage group Brasserie de Tahiti. The transaction, expected to close by October, involves no disclosed financial terms. In 2025, Air Tahiti Nui maintained a 68.5% stake in TNH.
Tavake is managed by Mathieu Béchonnet, a former deputy managing director of Air Tahiti Nui and chairman of TNH. The sale aligns with Air Tahiti Nui's strategic shift towards focusing on its core international long-haul operations, according to CEO Lionel Guérin. TNH, launched in 2018 in collaboration with HBG, a Franco-Swiss helicopter manufacturer, operates five Airbus Helicopters H135s. In June 2026, TNH ordered four new H135s to replace leased aircraft, while retaining one owned by the company.
Implications for the airline and regional aviation
The sale reflects Air Tahiti Nui's ongoing repositioning to optimize its fleet and focus on its primary business activities. TNH's operations support regional helicopter services in French Polynesia, supplementing the airline's scheduled passenger operations.
Full stories can be found via Radio 1 French Polynesia and the Polynesian Competition Authority. The transaction signifies regional aviation’s evolving landscape, emphasizing strategic asset management and operational specialization.
