Ferry flight underway for first Motu Link ATR72 freighter

By Andrew Curran.

EXCLUSIVE: French Polynesian cargo start-up Motu Link Airline is ferrying its first aircraft from France. The ATR72-500 freighter, F-OHEI (msn 713) left Toulouse (QYF) bound for Muscat (MCT) via Cairo (CAI) on February 11, 2026 - the first two legs of its marathon ferry flight through to Papeete (PPT).

The aircraft has spent the past three years stored at Toulouse after its conversion. The failed Nigerian start-up GIG Aviation was originally slated to take the freshly converted freighter but did not do so. On the other hand, Motu Link raised XPF379 million (USD3.78 million) to help fund the acquisition via a series of crowd-funding campaigns.

Once operating, Motu Link Airline will become French Polynesia’s only cargo airline. The airline was established specifically to improve the carriage of inter-island cargo. Currently, French Polynesian residents, particularly those living off the main island, Tahiti, rely on Air Tahiti and Air Moana to convey time-sensitive freight in the belly holds of their passenger-configured ATRs, while sea vessels carry less urgent and bulkier freight.

While the bulk of cargo within French Polynesia will continue to be carried by ship, the Motu Link ATR can handle pallets and containers of perishable and time-sensitive freight and offer far greater cargo capacity than the Air Tahiti and Air Moana ATRs. Motu Link Airline has links to the families and companies controlling the main shipping companies in French Polynesia.

First five Motu Link destinations announced

The ferry flight comes days after the airline revealed its first five destinations. While Motu Link Airline didn’t provide a firm start date, it did say it planned to fly thrice-weekly Papeete – Raiatea (RFP) round-trips; twice-weekly Papeete – Bora Bora (BOB) round-trips; twice-weekly Papeete  – Rangiroa (RGI) round-trips; and a once-weekly Papeete – Tubuai (TUB) round-trip.

In addition, Motu Link intends to operate a Papeete – Tubuai - Bora Bora – Papeete rotation once per week; a Papeete - Nuku Hiva (NHV) - Rangiroa – Papeete rotation once per week; and a weekly Papeete - Nuku Hiva - Bora Bora – Papeete rotation.

The airline says each route is “designed to strengthen exchanges between the archipelago and best accompany the needs of the territory.”

Motu Link Airlines says the initial routes avoid some destinations currently served exclusively by Air Tahiti under French Polynesia’s public service delegation. The airline also says it is important to account for “operational realities” and a need to provide a reliable service.

“This doesn't stop us from moving forward,” reads a February 10 social media post. “But the development of air freight is being built step by step. (The first five destinations) form our starting base.”

Motu Link Airline all airports across French Polynesia capable of handling an ATR72-500 are under evaluation for future services. They cite Arutua (AXR), Fakarava (FAV), and Huahine (HUH) as likely candidates.

Photo: Motu Link Airline.

Contact the writer: andrew@aerosouthpacific.com