Motu Link Plans Late-2025 Launch for Interisland Cargo Flights

French Polynesian start-up Motu Link Airline is preparing to begin interisland cargo operations around December 2025, though the timeline remains provisional as regulatory and operational processes continue. The airline told ch-aviation that December 12 is its current launch target, but the date may shift depending on the pace of final approvals.

Motu Link secured its air operator’s certificate (AOC) in June 2025, allowing it to advance toward commercial service. The carrier will initially operate a single ATR72-500(F), with additional aircraft planned as it scales its network. The freighter, capable of carrying up to eight tonnes, was reconditioned by ATR and was undergoing maintenance in Toulouse Blagnac earlier this year, though the specific airframe has not yet been disclosed.

At launch, Motu Link aims to connect key destinations across the archipelagos, including Papeete, Raiatea, Rangiroa, Bora Bora, Tubuai, and Nuku Hiva. The airline plans a gradual expansion across all five island groups as demand grows.

To support its start-up phase, the company raised XPF 379.99 million (USD 3.7 million) through a crowdfunding campaign led by Fenua Financement and Les Entreprêteurs, with roughly 72% of investors based locally. The carrier says its goal is to offer a sustainable, community-focused alternative to maritime freight, which currently dominates interisland logistics. Motu Link hopes to improve reliability, reduce transit times, and provide an air cargo service model rooted in Polynesian culture and economic needs.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com