Bora Bora @ Xin Long: Air Tahiti's New Route

Air Tahiti Nui introduced its first Dreamliners back in October 2018 and has now replaced all of its previous Airbus A340s with a quartet of 787-9s. With the delivery of NG Models recent release I am pleased to say that Air Tahiti Nui has added the Chinese airport of Xin Long to its route network and the inaugural flight was by F-OVAA. Here are some photos from her first arrival.

All photos can be viewed in larger size by clicking on them to go to my FlickR feed.

For more on this model diorama see the:

Xin Long Model Airport Design & Construction

Above: F-OVAA decelerates on the runway

I haven't got much time to work with my dioramas in recent months but the arrival of the NG Models Tahitian 787 last month was an opportunity too good to pass up, especially as it doesn't at all fit within my actual collection criteria (and display cases). It will therefore become a regular feature of my Xin Long model airport.

Air Tahiti Nui flies four 787-9s of which F-OVAA 'Bora Bora' was the third to join the fleet. They have now fully replaced the A340s and are used on the long-haul network which consists of only four destinations - Auckland, Los Angeles, Paris and Tokyo. From January 2020 however the airline's first Chinese destination is Xin Long.

Above: Terminal One at Xin Long is occupied by China Eastern mainly
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Below: F-OVAA taxies past Terminal One to her Terminal Two gate

Above: Air China A330-300 B-5977 is prepared for departure at Terminal Two Gate 14

Below: F-OVAA taxies past the end of Terminal Two's J Pier

Above: F-OVAA docked at Terminal Two's gate 16

Below: An overview of Terminal Two's J Pier

Above: Air China Airbuses partner a fellow Star Alliance member (Air New Zealand) at T2

Below: F-OVAA begins her departure taxi to the active runway

Above and below: On her second visit F-OVAA was parked at the Terminal 2 L pier