Hiva Oa Airport

Hiva Oa Airport, also known as Atuona Airport, is the gateway to one of the most enigmatic and picturesque islands of the Marquesas archipelago. Located on a high plateau, it welcomes travellers with breathtaking views of the island's rugged beauty. This small but vital airport serves as a key link between the remote island of Hiva Oa and the rest of French Polynesia, opening the way to the land that inspired Paul Gauguin and Jacques Brel.

Despite its modest size, Hiva Oa Airport plays an indispensable role in the life of the island. It is a compact and functional terminal where the main focus is on meeting the basic needs of passengers. The main feature of the airport is its location on the Tepuna plateau, at an altitude of about 450 metres. Due to this, weather conditions, especially fog, can sometimes lead to adjustments in the flight schedule, adding an element of unpredictability to the journey. Travellers should note that there is no public transport from the airport to the main village of Atuona, so it is recommended to arrange a transfer with your hotel or guesthouse in advance.

As Hiva Oa Airport (AUQ) is a small regional airport, finding direct contact details can be challenging. Most services are coordinated through the airlines or the central office of French Polynesia airports. Here is the most current information available:

• Official Website: The airport does not have a separate website. General information can be found on the website of the management company, Aéroports de Tahiti (ADT), which services most airports in French Polynesia.
• Information Desk Phone: There is no direct public phone number for general enquiries. For all flight-related questions, it is recommended to contact your airline directly (mainly Air Tahiti).
• Airport Address: The airport is located on Hiva Oa Island, a few kilometres from the town of Atuona, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia.
• Email: A direct email address for contacting the airport is not provided. For communication, please use the contact forms on your airline's website.
• Social Media: The airport does not have official pages on social media platforms.
• Lost Luggage Information: Issues regarding lost or damaged luggage are handled exclusively by the carrier airline. Please contact your airline's baggage tracing service.
• Passenger Support Contacts: Passenger support regarding check-in, boarding, and other aspects of the flight is provided by airline representatives directly at the airport.

Getting to Hiva Oa Airport (AUQ), also known as Jacques Brel Airport, from the island's main settlement, Atuona, is quite simple but requires prior planning. Given the remoteness and specific nature of the Marquesas Islands, of which Hiva Oa is a part, you will not find standard urban transport systems here. The journey from the centre of Atuona to the airport usually takes about 15-20 minutes, as it is located just a few kilometres from the village.

Taxi and Pre-booked Transfer

This is the most common and reliable way to get to the airport. In French Polynesia, especially on remote islands, most hotels, pensions (guesthouses), and lodges offer transfer services for their guests. It is strongly recommended to arrange a transfer to the airport at the time of booking your accommodation or a few days before departure. The cost is usually fixed and is approximately 1,500–2,500 XPF per person. Classic taxi services with phone dispatch are virtually non-existent here; transport mainly serves tourist needs by prior arrangement.

Car Rental

If you have rented a car to explore the island, this is an excellent option for travelling to the airport. Renting a car, most often a 4x4 SUV, gives you complete freedom of movement around Hiva Oa. You can simply return the vehicle to the rental company representative directly at the airport before departure. This is convenient and eliminates the need to look for other transport. Car rental companies are few in number, so booking a car should be done well in advance, especially during the high tourist season.

Public Transport and Parking

There is no public transport system on Hiva Oa Island in the usual sense — there are no regular bus routes, trains, or metro. All transport is oriented towards tourists and private transfers. regarding parking, there are several parking spaces near the small airport terminal. Leaving a car here for a short time is easy and, as a rule, free of charge. However, this is more relevant for those seeing someone off rather than for departing passengers leaving a car for a long term.

Hiva Oa Airport (AUQ), also known as Atuona Airport, is a compact and simple aviation hub, typical of the remote islands of French Polynesia. Its structure is simplified to the maximum for the convenience of passengers arriving on this picturesque island.

The airport consists of one small terminal that handles both domestic departures and arrivals. Due to the modest size of the building, there is no complex layout or need for long walks. All key zones — check-in counters, the waiting area, and baggage claim — are within walking distance of each other. Essentially, the entire terminal is one large hall with several functional zones.

Departure and arrival zones are located in the same building. After check-in, passengers proceed to a small waiting area before boarding. The arrival zone is even simpler: typically, luggage is delivered directly to the terminal building, where arriving passengers collect it. Navigation is intuitive, and getting lost here is practically impossible.

Check-in and security procedures are very quick due to the low passenger flow. Usually, this takes no more than 15–20 minutes. Nevertheless, it is recommended to arrive at the airport about an hour to an hour and a half before departure to complete all formalities without rushing. The atmosphere at the airport is very calm and relaxed, which fully corresponds to the spirit of the Marquesas Islands.

No special advice is needed for navigating the airport — simply follow the few signs or just follow other passengers. Staff are always ready to help and suggest directions. The airport mainly serves flights to the town of Atuona and back, so its entire infrastructure is focused on the fast and comfortable transit of travellers.

Hiva Oa Airport, also known as Atuona Airport, opened in 1971 and became a vital transport hub for the island of the same name in the Marquesas archipelago. Its emergence radically changed the lives of the local population and opened this remote corner of French Polynesia to travellers. Until that moment, the island could only be reached by sea, which took several days.

Initially, the airport had a short runway capable of accommodating only small aircraft. A key stage in its development was the modernisation and extension of the runway, which allowed it to receive ATR turboprop liners — the main type of air transport for inter-island flights in the region. This significantly increased passenger flow and made travel more comfortable and faster. Regular work on renewing the runway surface and terminal maintains the infrastructure in good condition.

The history of the airport is inextricably linked with famous figures who found their final resting place in Atuona — the artist Paul Gauguin and the Belgian singer Jacques Brel. It is thanks to the airport that admirers of their work have the opportunity to easily reach places associated with the lives of these outstanding people. An interesting fact: locals and tourists often unofficially call the airport by the name of Jacques Brel, who was a pilot himself and used his own plane to help the islanders in the last years of his life.

Today, Hiva Oa Airport is not just an infrastructure facility, but a true "gateway" to a world of amazing nature and Polynesian culture. Despite its modest size, it is considered one of the most picturesque and, at the same time, challenging airports for piloting in the country due to its location on a plateau and difficult weather conditions. Landing here is a small adventure in itself, offering breathtaking views of volcanic peaks and the boundless ocean.

Hiva Oa Airport (AUQ), also known as Atuona Airport, serves as a small and charming gateway to one of the most famous Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia. Given its modest size and regional status, the range of services here is basic and aimed at providing the essentials for arriving and departing passengers. The terminal is a simple, partially open structure, allowing you to immediately immerse yourself in the atmosphere of a tropical island.

Dining, Shops, and Lounges. There are no restaurants, cafes, or duty-free shops in the traditional sense at the airport. Sometimes, before flight departures, a small kiosk operates where you can buy water, soft drinks, light snacks, and local souvenirs. It is recommended to have food and water with you, especially if you are travelling with children. The waiting area here is simple and functional, without division into business or VIP lounges.

Communication and Finance. Opportunities for passengers in this area are limited. Public Wi-Fi at the airport is generally unavailable, and the number of power outlets for charging electronic devices is minimal or non-existent. We strongly advise you to fully charge all your gadgets in advance and bring a portable power bank. There are no bank branches, ATMs, or currency exchange points within the airport territory. All financial transactions are best handled in the island's main settlement — Atuona.

Special Services. The airport lacks a specialised medical point, mother and child room, or play areas. Airport staff can provide basic first aid if necessary. Due to its compactness and single-level layout, the terminal is quite convenient for passengers with reduced mobility, but your airline should be notified in advance if special assistance is required. Business services, such as conference rooms, are not provided.

Accommodation. There are no hotels directly on the premises of Hiva Oa Airport. The nearest accommodation options, including cosy guesthouses and small hotels, are located in Atuona and its surroundings, a few kilometres from the airport. Transfers can usually be organised in advance with your hotel or by using local taxi services.

When planning a flight from Hiva Oa Airport, it is important to consider that this is a small regional air station serving primarily local flights within French Polynesia. Consequently, the choice of catering establishments here is very limited and not comparable to major international hubs. The infrastructure is designed for quick and functional service for passengers awaiting their flight.

In the airport's single terminal, you may find a small snack bar or cafeteria located in the general area before security control (landside). This is essentially the only place where you can have a snack. The assortment usually includes basic beverages — water, juices, soda, coffee — as well as packaged snacks such as crisps, biscuits, and possibly simple sandwiches or local pastries.

This option is not suitable for a full lunch or dinner. There are no restaurants with hot meals or extensive menus here. Specialised dietary requirements, such as Halal, vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free options, are likely to be unavailable. Therefore, travellers with strict dietary preferences are strongly advised to bring food with them.

The cafe's opening hours are directly linked to the flight schedule — it opens shortly before departures and closes after the last plane leaves. Prices may be slightly higher than in town. If you wish to have a substantial meal before your flight, the best solution would be to visit one of the establishments in the nearby town of Atuona. Dining at Hiva Oa Airport is a convenient option for a quick snack and buying a drink for the road, but nothing more.

Travelling through Hiva Oa Airport, the gateway to a picturesque island in the heart of the Marquesas, is an experience vastly different from the hustle and bustle of major international hubs. To ensure your trip to Atuona and other corners of French Polynesia goes smoothly, follow our advice.

Arrival at the Airport and Check-in. Hiva Oa Airport is small and cosy, so there is no need to arrive three hours before departure. As a rule, it is sufficient to arrive 1.5 hours before your flight departs. This time is enough to drop off luggage and pass through control without rushing. If possible, check in for your flight online — this will save you time. Security procedures here are quick and conducted in a calm atmosphere.

Seat Selection and Hand Luggage. Flights between the islands are a true attraction offering breathtaking views. Be sure to choose a window seat to enjoy panoramas of the ocean and volcanic peaks. Bear in mind that small aircraft are often used on local flights, so hand luggage and baggage allowances may be stricter. Verify the permissible dimensions and weight with your airline in advance. Standard security rules for hand luggage apply here as well: liquids in containers of no more than 100 ml and no sharp objects.

Connections and Customs Control. Most flights from Hiva Oa Airport are domestic. If you have a connection to an international flight (usually in Papeete), allow sufficient time for changing terminals and checking in again. There is no customs control when flying from Hiva Oa to other islands of French Polynesia, as this is domestic travel. However, be attentive to the rules regarding the import and export of plants and food products — strict phytosanitary norms are in place on the islands to protect the unique ecosystem.

Savings and Unforeseen Situations. To save money, book tickets in advance and consider purchasing an island-hopping pass (Air Tahiti Pass) if you plan to fly frequently. The airport may have a limited selection of food and drinks at higher prices, so bring a light snack and an empty water bottle that can be filled after security screening. Flight delays on the islands due to weather conditions are not uncommon. In this case, keep a book and a charged power bank with you, and maintain a positive attitude. Remember that you are in one of the most beautiful, yet remote corners of the planet, where nature dictates its own rules.