Flight disruptions due to strikes

Some international flights resumed takeoffs and landings at Tahiti’s Faa'a International Airport (NTAA/PPT) on 15 June 2010 after union leaders agreed to ease their general strike. Eleven trade unions in French Polynesia called the strike on 11 June to protest against the government over wages, pensions and other issues. Operations at Tahiti’s airport were shut down because firefighters taking part in the ongoing strike could not provide adequate safety coverage on the main runway. Union leaders stated that an agreement had been reached to return some firefighters to work and reopen services at the airport runway. Reports indicate that some international flights have resumed, although delays and disruptions continue to affect flights as the facility works through a backlog of thousands of stranded passengers. Workers in other union sectors remain on strike, and travelers to French Polynesia are likely to encounter shortages of fuel and other local transportation disruptions. The main port in Papeete remains closed, and all ferry service to the smaller Polynesian islands is shut down.