Motu Link eyes mid-September restart, hunting for second ATR

By Andrew Curran.

The CEO of grounded French Polynesian start-up Motu Link Airline says he hopes to have his sole aircraft back in the air by mid-September as discussions continue about who is responsible for damaging the plane during a June 25, 2026, incident at Papeete Airport (PPT).

As reported by Radio 1 Tahiti, Motu Link Airline President Alexandre Mu recently appeared before the Conseil Économique, Social, Environnemental et Culturel (CESEC) to give an update on his fledgling airline and the on-the-ground incident that put its ATR72-500F out of service.

A government body, CESEC is a consultative style organisation that acts as a conduit between private enterprise and private citizens and the French territory’s government.

ATR freighter will get back in the air - but at a cost

As previously reported by Aero South Pacific, the ATR’s nose landing gear was damaged while being towed by its ground handler, Air Tahiti. That company, while acknowledging its involvement, says its responsibilities are “clearly defined” in the ground handling agreement.

Two months after the event, and with the ATR72 still out of service, Mu says the “questions of responsibility” remain unresolved.

But he told CESEC that shareholders had remained supportive since the incident and Motu Link had been able to source replacement parts, albeit at a cost of approximately XPF100 million (USD971,500).

“We'll be able to get the plane back in the air,” he said, adding that it would take about two and a half weeks to do so.

Business was good while Motu Link Airline was operating

Motu Link Airline had been operating revenue flights for less than one month when the incident occurred. Mu said operations during that brief window went well. He said freight bookings from businesses had been lower than expected, but that was more than offset by bookings from private individuals and sole traders from around French Polynesia, from who there had been strong demand for cargo space.

Mu says the first few weeks of operations reassured him about the financial viability of his business model and that operations were “within budget”.

Once back in the air, he expects business to improve further as the company streamlines procedures for handling ultra-perishable goods such as fish. Mu says discussions are underway about allowing Motu Link’s customers to access the subsidised freight rates available to them when using inter-island sea vessels. Mu says the government is listening and he hopes for “swift regulatory changes” to allow this.

Motu Link Airline looks for second ATR72 freighter

Meanwhile, Motu Link Airline is scouting for a second ATR72 freighter. In an August 6 request for proposal, Motu Link invited ATR72 freighter lessors, owners and operators interested in leasing an aircraft to make contact.

The company said it is expanding its regional and international freight network and is looking for an ATR72 “in full freighter configuration to strengthen its fleet”.

Mu told CESEC that the “international freight network” was likely to involve flights to the Cook Islands, even though that market presented some challenges.

“We are developing a niche market, but we are not afraid of creativity,” Mu said.

The request for proposal document said Motu Link wanted to take another ATR with a large cargo door on dry-lease terms for a minimum two-year period, with extension or end-of-lease purchase options, although ACMI would be considered under certain circumstances. The aircraft should be EASA or FAA registered and available from November.

Other requirements include up-to-date airworthiness, a recent maintenance overhaul, complete records and back-to-birth traceability of engines, propellers, landing gear and all assemblies and sub-assemblies.

Aero South Pacific understands several parties with available aircraft have contacted Motu Link Airline.

Photo: Motu Link Airline.
Contact the writer; andrew@aerosouthpacific.com