Air Tahiti Nui Receives Approval for Los Angeles/Paris Service Effective May 5.

Business & Travel Editors

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 4, 2002

Air Tahiti Nui, the national flag airline of French Polynesia, announced today that it has received French Government approval to operate 2 flights per week between Papeete and Paris, with flights operating via Los Angeles in each direction. Already holding U.S. Government rights, Air Tahiti Nui will provide twice weekly transatlantic service nonstop between Los Angeles and Paris on Mondays and Wednesdays effective May 5.

To serve this route and accommodate other expansion, Air Tahiti Nui has acquired a second Airbus Industrie A-340-300 aircraft, the high technology, long-haul leader in commercial aviation. The aircraft is configured to provide 3 classes of service and will operate over the carrier's extensive network from Papeete to Los Angeles, Paris, Tokyo, Osaka and Auckland, New Zealand.

"We are honored to now have the authority to provide the historical and cultural linkage between French Polynesia and France and the commencement of transatlantic service from Los Angeles to Paris will mark yet another milestone in our Company's growth and development," said Nelson Levy, Chairman and CEO Air Tahiti Nui. "Air Tahiti Nui has demonstrated its success in the marketplace by providing the highest quality of service with the newest, most comfortable aircraft geared towards customer satisfaction. We now embark on an exciting new phase and look forward to spreading our wings to the European Continent," Levy added.

The airline will fly between Los Angeles and Paris on Mondays and Wednesdays and will provide return service on Tuesdays and Thursdays. With the addition of the 2 transatlantic services, Air Tahiti Nui will provide nonstop service from Los Angeles to Papeete 5 times per week. In the peak months of July through October, the airline will offer two additional frequencies to accommodate the heavy vacation travel, especially honeymooners who comprise a large percentage of the airline's traffic, to provide daily service.

Levy noted that since it inception in November of 1998, Air Tahiti Nui has become the leader in the carriage of air passengers between North America and Tahiti. He pointed out that the airline has outstanding relations with the major tour operators and cruise lines which specialize in Tahiti.

"As Tahiti's national flag carrier, we have a responsibility to provide the appropriate lift to support our travel industry partners. These additional flights are an example of such cooperation to the benefit of the traveling public and the economic growth of French Polynesia," he added.

To contact Air Tahiti Nui for more information regarding the new flights to Paris or service to Tahiti, travelers are invited to call the airline's reservations center toll free at either 877-824-4846 or 866-835-9286 or visit the airline's web site at http://www.flyatn.com.