13 Aug 2004

Air Tahiti Nui safeguards fuel in event of strike

7:22 am on 13 August 2004

Airlines servicing French Polynesia are taking precautions to avoid a fuel shortage if supply workers go on strike.

The Tahitipresse news agency reports the Civil Aviation Authority has warned airlines of the likelihood of disruption when planes refuel at Tahiti-Faa'a airport.

Talks are continuing between employers in the fuel sector and workers threatening to go on strike.

A spokesman says the territorial carrier Air Tahiti Nui is putting out extra supplies of fuel at Los Angeles, Auckland and in Japan in case of industrial action in French Polynesia.

Laurent Annonier says if the strike continues, there are arrangements for aircraft to take on fuel in the Cook Islands and in American Samoa instead.