French Polynesia’s Motu Link Crowd-funds Start-Up Costs

A crowd-funding project to raise CPF137.3 million central pacific francs (USD1.3 million) to partially pay for the purchase of an ATR 72-500 cargo aircraft for French Polynesian cargo start-up Motu Link Airline is over 97% of the way there, according to fund raising co-manager Pierre Poher.

Founded by Alexandre Mu, Leila Kocik, and Pascal Mou, Motu Link Airline aims to build a fleet of three twin-turboprop aircraft (ATR 72-600F and ATR 72-500F) by 2027. The would-be airline says it can help open up the Polynesian archipelagos by offering a fast and reliable alternative to maritime transport, particularly for perishable goods.

Poher, who runs the Papeete-based Fenua Financement crowd-funding platform, says CPF124 million (USD1.18 million) is already subscribed, with a further CPF10 million (USD95,400) in the process of being subscribed to. It leaves less than CPF3 million (USD28,600) to collect before the subscription window closes on May 31, 2025.

The platform has previously raised CPF379,994,452 (USD3.6 million) for Motu Link Airlines to start the aircraft acquisition process.

In a novel but creative approach to the aircraft financing process, Motu Link Airlines is treating the money raised as a bridging loan to initiate the purchase. “(The funding) will allow the aircraft acquisition to be finalised while awaiting the establishment of definitive bank financing,” the Fenua Financement website reads.

The first aircraft has already been purchased for USD4.4 million, relying on the money raised in the first crowd-sourcing project. “To close the financing plan while awaiting the bank's decision, we are raising XPF137.3 million in the form of bridge financing (paying 10%) over a period of 12 months."

Currently, freight in French Polynesia is mainly handled by sea (70% of the volume transported), with long delivery times, particularly for perishable goods. Air Tahiti currently offers an air freight solution, but it cannot meet all the demand. Motu Link Airline is positioning itself to fill this gap by offering a dedicated, fast, and reliable air freight solution. The company says the ATR is perfectly suited to the cargo transport needs of the Polynesian archipelagos.

Among the major shareholders are the Salem and Lin families. These are shipowner families operating the Maris Stella III and IV vessels around the French Polynesia islands and are leaders in their respective markets with over 50% market share. 

These stakes give Motu Link Airline a strategic advantage, giving it access to the customers of these two shareholders. Even before the launch of its activity, 50% of the forecast turnover for the first year of operation is assured via these shareholders. This corresponds to the equivalent of 500 tonnes per month and is equivalent to the break-even point of the business plan.

Photo: Motu Link Airlines