Lois Larson
Bora Bora Airport, also known as Motu Mute Airport, is located on an islet called Motu Mute in a lagoon. It serves the island of Bora Bora in French Polynesia. The airport is accessible only by sea, with boat transfers available to the village on the main island, Vaitape. It was opened in 1943 during World War II and has been serving commercial flights since 1958. Passengers travelling to and from Vaitape, the largest population centre on Bora Bora, commonly use this airport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Bora Bora Airport, also known as Motu Mute Airport |
| IATA | BOB |
| ICAO | NTTB |
| Location | On the islet of Motu Mute, in a lagoon |
| Accessibility | Only accessible by boat transfer to the main island of Bora Bora |
| Airlines | Air Tahiti, Air Moana |
| Aircraft Parking | Accommodates four machines |
| Refuelling | Available with prior request |
| Services | Laundry service |
| Hours of Operation | Vary according to seasonality; special permission required for landing outside of regular hours |
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What You'll Learn
Bora Bora Airport's location
Bora Bora Airport, also known as Motu Mute Airport, is located on the islet of Motu Mute in French Polynesia. The airport is situated in a lagoon, and passengers must take a boat transfer to reach the main island of Bora Bora. Vaitape, the largest population centre on Bora Bora, is the usual destination for travellers arriving at the airport.
The airport does not have scheduled passenger airline jet service, but it can accommodate larger business jets such as Bombardier Global Express, Gulfstream V, and Dassault Falcon 900. It was first opened in 1943 during World War II, and commercial service began in 1958 after the reconstruction of the runway.
To reach Bora Bora Airport, travellers typically fly into Faa'a International Airport (PPT) in Papeete, Tahiti, which is the only international airport in French Polynesia. From there, they can board a connecting 45-minute flight to Bora Bora Airport. This airport is served by two regular airlines, Air Tahiti and Air Moana, which provide boat transfers for their passengers between the airport and Vaitape.
The airport's opening hours vary according to seasonality and are subject to modification without notice. It is recommended to contact the airport directly for confirmation of current opening times. Additionally, prior booking is advised for aircraft parking at the airport, as the parking area accommodates only four machines.
Bora Bora Airport is an important gateway for travellers visiting the island of Bora Bora and provides stunning views of the surrounding lagoon and islands. The unique location of the airport adds to the allure of this tropical destination.
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Transport to and from the airport
Bora Bora Airport, also known as Motu Mute Airport, is located on a small islet called Motu Mute, just northwest of the main island. The airport is only accessible by sea. Air Tahiti and Air Moana, the two regular airlines serving the airport, schedule boat transfers for their passengers between the airport and the village on the main island, Vaitape. The transfer takes about 15 minutes. Many resorts also offer airport transportation, so it is worth checking with your resort before making your own arrangements.
To get to Bora Bora, most travellers fly into Faa'a International Airport in Papeete, Tahiti. From there, you can board a 45-minute flight to Bora Bora Airport. It is important to note that you will need to book your own flights to Bora Bora, including the interisland flight from Papeete. To ensure a same-day arrival, book an evening interisland flight that coincides with later arrivals into Tahiti. Interisland flights may not operate during the late night or very early morning, so you may need to plan an overnight stay in Tahiti depending on your arrival or departure time.
Upon arrival at Bora Bora Airport, you will need to take a boat transfer to reach your final destination. In addition to the boat transfers offered by Air Tahiti and Air Moana, catamaran rides to Vaitape quay are available for free.
On the main island, there are various transportation options to get around. Rental cars and bicycles are available, but rental cars can be quite expensive. The local bus system, Le Truck, is notoriously unpredictable, and taxis can also be costly. Many restaurants offer free pickups and drop-offs, so you can plan your meals accordingly to get around the island.
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History of the airport
Bora Bora Airport, also known as Motu Mute Airport, is located on the islet of Motu Mute in French Polynesia. The airport was opened in 1943 during World War II, but commercial service only became available a decade and a half later in 1958 after the runway was reconstructed. It is built on an island located in a lagoon, and a boat transfer is necessary to get to the main island of Bora Bora.
Prior to the opening of the Faa'a International Airport (PPT) in Papeete, Tahiti in 1960, Bora Bora was served by French air carrier Transports Aériens Inte. With the opening of the Papeete Airport, TAI began flying DC-7C service, followed by Douglas DC-8 jet service directly into Papeete, Tahiti. Connecting flights between Bora Bora and Papeete were operated by the regional French Polynesian air carrier Reseau Aerien Interinsulaire (RAI) with Douglas DC-4 propliners and Short Sandringham "Bermuda" flying boats during the early 1960s.
RAI was renamed Air Polynésie, which continued to operate Douglas DC-4 services into Bora Bora in 1970 before introducing Fokker F27 turboprops on flights to Papeete by the mid-1970s. Air Polynésie also served Bora Bora with de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter commuter turboprops.
Today, the single-runway airport operates flights primarily between Bora Bora and other islands within French Polynesia, including Tahiti, which provides connections to international destinations. Despite its small size, Bora Bora Airport is efficiently designed to handle the flow of international tourists and local passengers.
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Aircraft parking
Bora Bora Airport, also known as Motu Mute Airport, is located on the islet of Motu Mute in French Polynesia. The airport was opened in 1943 during World War II and has since undergone numerous expansions and improvements to accommodate the increasing number of travellers.
The aircraft parking area at Bora Bora Airport can accommodate four machines, so bookings are strongly recommended. The airport is only accessible by boat, and a transfer is necessary to get to the main island of Bora Bora. Most luxury hotels provide their own transport between the airport and the hotel, but Air Tahiti offers a shuttle boat service for passengers called the "Bora Bora Navette".
The airport's parking lot has plenty of spaces for drivers to leave their cars, and it is conveniently located next to the terminal building. The parking lot is well-lit and safe, ensuring a comfortable and convenient experience for all travellers.
In addition to aircraft parking, Bora Bora Airport offers a range of amenities and services to enhance the travel experience. The modern terminal building features stores, eateries, a duty-free shop, a currency exchange, and luggage storage. The arrivals and departures hall is spacious and well-lit, providing a relaxing environment for travellers.
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Refuelling
Bora Bora Airport, also known as Motu Mute Airport, is located on the islet of Motu Mute in French Polynesia. The airport is built on an island located in a lagoon, and passengers must take a boat transfer to reach the main island of Bora Bora. As the airport is located on an islet, it is only accessible by sea.
The process of refuelling involves the delivery and storage of fuel, as well as the actual refuelling of aircraft. The fuel is typically stored in tanks or containers on-site, and the airport may have fuel farms or storage facilities to accommodate this. The refuelling process itself involves transferring the fuel from these storage tanks to the aircraft, ensuring that the correct type and amount of fuel is dispensed.
At Bora Bora Airport, the refuelling services are managed by the airport authorities or a dedicated refuelling services provider. They ensure that the fuel quality meets the required standards and that the refuelling process is safe and efficient. The refuelling equipment and infrastructure may vary depending on the airport's size and traffic volume.
It is important to plan refuelling operations in advance, especially at smaller airports like Bora Bora, to ensure a smooth and efficient process. This includes coordinating with ground handling services, obtaining the necessary permits, and scheduling refuelling during the aircraft's turnaround time between flights. Efficient refuelling operations contribute to on-time performance and the overall smooth functioning of the airport.
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Frequently asked questions
Bora Bora Airport, also known as Motu Mute Airport, is located on the islet of Motu Mute. It is accessible only by sea.
A boat transfer is necessary to get to the main island of Bora Bora. Air Tahiti and Air Moana offer shuttle services to passengers.
The airport's opening hours vary according to seasonality and are subject to modification without notice. For example, on Mondays, the airport operates from 7.15 am to 7.45 pm, while on Tuesdays, it operates from 7.45 am to 12.30 pm and 1.20 pm to 7.05 pm.
Air Tahiti and Air Moana are two regular airlines that fly to Bora Bora Airport. Other airlines offering flights to Bora Bora include Air Polynésie, which operates Fokker F27 turboprops and de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter commuter turboprops.
