French Polynesia’s Air Archipels orders two King Air 260s

Air Archipels (RHL, Papeete) has ordered two Beech (twin turboprop) King Air 260s from Beechcraft/Textron Aviation as part of its fleet renewal and upgrade plans. One of the turboprops will feature a large cargo door, the first of its type, for medivac flights. Due in September this year, the first aircraft will be exclusively dedicated to urgent medivac operations while the second, due in December, will operate regular flights from Takume and Apataki to the Tuamotu Islands and charter flights throughout Polynesia. A subsidiary of Air Tahiti (VT, Papeete), Air Archipels currently operates three Super King Air B200s alongside two DHC-6-300s on passenger charter as well as medivac flights throughout the French South Pacific collectivity. Air Archipels did not disclose when its existing King Airs would be phased out.