Airfield firefighters strike in French Polynesia
Status report as of July 1, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.
Since Saturday June 28 2025, French Polynesia faces a strike by aerodrome firefighters territorial civil servantsThis social movement, relaunched after a suspension in January, has caused the cancellation of the majority of inter-island flights. The conflict has hardened from Monday, June 30, with requisitions, legal recourse and increasing pressure on the government.
📍 Which airports are not affected by the strike?
The strike only affects airports where fire safety services are managed by local government firefightersIt must be said that French Polynesia is currently going through a social conflict involving its territorial service employees. Nevertheless, punctually and locally, it is not impossible that certain aircraft can still circulate on these grounds, as was the case recently in Fakarava. Here is the list of airports or airfields not impacted by this strike:
- Tahiti-Faa'a (international airport)
- Bora Bora
- Raiatea
- Rangiroa
- Rarotonga (international connection, Cook Islands, outside Polynesian jurisdiction)
📉 How many flights were canceled and how many passengers were affected?
- More than 80 flights canceled according to Air Tahiti.
- Between 5 and 000 passengers affected in less than a week.
- Freight delays (medicines, perishable goods).
- Shortened or modified tourist stays.
- Family pensions saturated on some islands.
🔥 Why are the firefighters on strike?
The strikers denounce:
- The lack of statutory recognition for a high-risk job.
- insufficient wages in relation to responsibilities.
- chronic understaffing, especially on remote islands.
- Le failure to comply with social agreements signed during previous negotiations.
📚 Any precedents? Yes, but never on this scale
📚 Any precedents? Yes, and the one in 2022 was significant.
| Year | Range of movement | Duration | obtained result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Moorea, Raiatea | 4 days | Revision of timetables |
| 2021 | tuamotu | 3 days | Suspension of notice |
| 2022 | 38 aerodromes (excluding Faa'a, Bora Bora, Raiatea, Rangiroa) | 4 days | Memorandum of Understanding signed on October 3 |
| 2023 | 7 airfields | 6 days | Partial agreement on on-call duty |
🌴 What impact on tourists?
- Polynesia welcomes around 20 visitors in July.
- 70 to 80% take a inter-island flight.
- Up to 16 tourists could be impacted if the strike continues.
Some tour operators are already adapting their offers with stays focused on Tahiti, Moorea or Bora Bora.
🛠️ What are the ways out of the crisis?
- Tripartite mediation between the DAC, the private company and the unions.
- Immediate salary increase, pending recognized status.
- Temporary reinforcements on critical airports.
- Structured dialogue with commitment schedule.
- Clear communication among travelers and the tourism sector.
🕒 Chronology of the conflict
| Date | Key event |
|---|---|
| January 2025 | Suspension of the first movement |
| 28nd June | Strike resumes at 35 airfields |
| 30nd June | Referred to court, escalation of the conflict |
| 1er July | More than 80 flights canceled, severe impact on tourism |
📢 In fine
This strike undeniably constitutes a major obstacle to tourist activity in French Polynesia. Many visitors, who sometimes have planned their long-term stay, invest a substantial budget to experience life in Fenua. At the same time, the residents themselves often find themselves in theinability to join their families on the most remote islands and atolls. It therefore becomes essential toquickly reach a lasting solution, in order to restore the fluidity of inter-island connections and to preserve the confidence of users, whether tourists or residents. So let's keep our fingers crossed. And now, if you have a opinions on this hot topic,🔥I invite you to share it with us in the comments section at the bottom of this page.
🔔 Last minute — Tuesday, July 1st, 19:30 p.m.
Un agreement was signed between the Polynesian government and the FRAAP, ending the strike of airfield firefighters. The movement is lifted immediately, allowing a gradual resumption of inter-island flights from this Wednesday morning. A joint parity committee will be set up to examine the criteria for awarding specific constraints, based on the classification of airports.
🛎️ Last minute — Wednesday, July 2, 2025, 9:14 a.m.
The Heiva is maintained, but the FRAAP remains mobilized. All the details here: The Heiva saved but the Fraap does not give up
🔔 Last minute — Thursday, July 3, 2025
🔹 The FRAAP filed a new strike notice in the civil service of the Country, as of Tuesday, July 9 at 0:01 a.m..
🔹 The union is asking for a index point increase across 1 F and 200 F, considering the recent revaluation to 1 F as insufficient.
🔹 17 administration services are concerned, in particular the DAC-PF, the DGEE, the DICP, the DGAE, the DSP, Te Fare Tauhiti Nui, among others.
🔹 FRAAP will not appeal the decision declaring its previous action unlawful, preferring to initiate a new phase of negotiations.
🔗 Read the full article on Radio1
✈️ Travel information — Risk of disruption to inter-island flights
⚠️ The airfield firefighters, although employed by the Country, are supervised by the Civil Aviation Authority (DAC-PF), itself targeted by the notice.
🔸 In the event of effective mobilization, up to 43 territorial airfields could be impacted again from July 9.
🔸 Travelers are invited to monitor the development of the situation, to consult the airlines, and to provide alternatives if necessary.
(I.e. Radio1 Notice Details
ℹ️ Why some airports are not impacted
✳️ The airports of Tahiti-Faa'a, Bora Bora, Raiatea et Rangiroa are not not concerned by the strike notice of July 9.
🔹 They are exploited by the company ADT (Tahiti Airport), with staff outside territorial status et not affiliated with FRAAP.
🔹 Result: the flights to and from these airports are maintained, except for technical or weather hazards.
| ✈️ Airport | 👥 Manager | 📍 Staff status | 📌 Impacted by the FRAAP strike? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tahiti-Faa'a | ADT (Tahiti Airport) | Private or mixed staff | ❌ No |
| Bora Bora | ADT | Private staff | ❌ No |
| Raiatea | ADT | Private staff | ❌ No |
| Rangiroa | ADT | Private staff | ❌ No |
| Other airfields (43) | DAC-PF (Country) | Territorial civil servants | ✅ Yes |
🔔 Last minute — Monday July 7 2025
Negotiations between the FRAAP and the government abruptly ended last night. The union rejected the country's only proposal—monthly individual meetings with Social Affairs—as insufficient.
La FRAAP speaks of a "lack of consideration" and reiterates its demand for an increase in the index point to address the high cost of living. A reinforced mobilization is planned for Wednesday, in the absence of a compromise.
President Brotherson ruled out any further increase in the index point and proposed a "case-by-case" analysis of difficult situations, a proposal described as "begging" by the union.
The watchword: "Black Wednesday" launched by the FRAAP to denounce what it considers to be a lack of respect towards civil servants.
👉 Read the article on Polynésie la 1ère
👉 Read the article on TNTV
🔐 Twist on the controversial message
La FRAAP claims that his Facebook account was hacked, thus explaining the publication announcing a Black Wednesday in transport. Its president, John Tefaatau, denies any involvement and specifies that this message does not reflect the position of the association. 👉 See the full article on TNTV
📢 Return to calm announced
FRAAP indicates that the discussions with the government have prevented a new mobilization. No strike is planned to date, contrary to what the erroneous publication suggested.
🛫 Air Tahiti anticipates disruptions linked to the FRAAP strike
La FRAAP (Federation of the Gathering of Agents of the Administrations of Polynesia) has filed a notice of strike among firefighters working at airports managed by the DAC. If the talks fail, the movement could begin Wednesday, July 9 at 00:00 p.m..
Air Tahiti indicates that flights to Bora Bora, Raiatea, Rangiroa and Rarotonga will not be affected by the strike. However, schedule adjustments are possible. Fakarava and Ahe airports are expected to remain open.
The DAC will publish daily updates from impacted airports. It is recommended to consult the real-time flight schedules.
- Edit: free of charge, even for a change of island.
- Cancellation: a free credit is offered.
🔗 Source: Tahiti Infos – Air Tahiti anticipates in the event of a FRAAP strike
🛫 Update — FRAAP suspends its strike again
Ce Tuesday, July 8th in the evening, the FRAAP has decided to suspend its strike action once again. The union is now referring its demands to the labor court, due to lack of progress in negotiations with the government.
This decision comes after discussions with Heiva troop leaders and representatives of the tourism sector. Discussions with the government have remained at a standstill since Monday.
The country's president, Moetai Brotherson, proposed a monthly listening program for employees in difficulty, but this initiative was deemed "inappropriate" by union representatives, who saw it as a form of "institutionalized begging."
Social dialogue is now continuing in the courts, with possible referral to the conciliation commission if no agreement is reached.
📢 LAST MINUTE – FRAAP STRIKE: A TENSE JULY 17
📅 Friday, July 11, 2025 – 16:40 p.m.
FRAAP toughens its stance: after the failure of the negotiations on July 7, the majority union files a fourth strike notice, planned for the Thursday 17 JulyA highly symbolic date, on the eve of the trip by the Minister for Overseas Territories, Manuel Valls.
🎯 Unique claim: the revaluation of the index point.
🤝 Despite a temporary suspension of the movement, the FRAAP claims to have "given dialogue one last chance." The country's president, Moetai Brotherson, remains adamant.
📣 Jean-Paul Urima calls for a intense mobilization : "This is the last time we will be conciliatory."
📌 To be continued: impacts on public services, transport and Heiva.
???? FRAAP strike: dialogue still at an impasse
🕒 Article published on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at 19:58 p.m.
🗓️ Tuesday, July 15th in the evening, the representatives of the FRAAP met with the President of the Country Moetai Brotherson. Summary: no dealThe meeting, described as a "record" by Jean-Gabriel Rousseau, only lasted 47 minutes, illustrating the blockage.
✊ Claim: revaluation of the index point of 20 Fcfp from September 1st. In response, the government is proposing a social counter for agents in difficulty, but the unions reject this option, considering it humiliating.
💸 Budgetary impact: President Brotherson quantifies the measure between 5 and 13 billion Fcfp over a year. However, it offers monthly office hours to listen to agents in difficulty.
🚨 Mobilization: La strike begins Thursday morning before the presidency, with an expected impact on the public services and airfields. It coincides with the arrival of Manuel Valls, in full tourist season.
✈️ No flights canceled despite the strike: FRAAP reassures
📅 Published on July 16, 2025 — Good news for travelers: despite the failure of negotiations with President Moetai Brotherson, the FRAAP announces thatno disruption will affect air flights In Polynesia, airport firefighters have decided against closing airport platforms, heeding the calls from tourism professionals.
⚠️ Strike continues: The movement will indeed begin this Thursday, July 17th at 00:01. The union is calling for a rally in front of the Presidential Palace at 7:30 am to demand an increase in the index point for local government employees.
“We have over 1800 civil servants in precarious situations, and that is unacceptable in our administration.” Jean-Gabriel Rousseau, Deputy Secretary General of FRAAP
📢 The FRAAP strike is over
Published on: | Update :
The strike of the FRAAP did not last long. This Thursday morning, a picket line was set up in front of the presidency, but the union's general secretary, Jean-Paul Urima, quickly announced the end of the social movement.
(I.e. “Return to work normally”, he said, putting an end to the mobilization. He specified, however, that the FRAAP plans to file a new strike notice in the coming days or months, this time with better legal preparation.
👥 Few strikers were present on site. Some expressed disappointment at the lack of communication, particularly regarding the non-participation of firefighters: “We were counting on them…”
The Terre-Mer restaurant in Taravao
Holding the population and tourists hostage only makes the situation worse. Fewer tourists = a declining economy = lower wages. Other solutions exist.
Ia ora na Delphine. Your reasoning holds water. I hope a solution will be found quickly for the good of all 🙏