French Polynesian airline Air Tahiti Nui is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its maiden flight this year, which we are marking with a joint Aviationtag edition crafted from the F-OJTN. The Aviationtag X Air Tahiti Nui series was upcycled from the former Airbus A340-300 sporting manufacturer serial number (MSN) 395.
Originally ordered by Sabena, the A340 was completed in 2001 with the registration OO-SBQ. The liquidation of Sabena meant it did not take delivery of the Airbus though, so it was leased to the Canadian charter carrier Canada 3000 instead, which then also ceased operations, however.
In January 2002, Air Tahiti Nui took ownership of the MSN 395, christening it “Bora Bora” and giving it its ultimate registration. The F-OJTN then took to the skies for 16 years, connecting the carrier’s hub, Faa’a International Airport (also known as Tahiti International Airport), with the world.
In 2018, the F-OJTN was retired after 65.084 flight hours, 7.931 flight cycles and parked in the US, where it was eventually scrapped in 2021 – the opportunity for us to acquire some parts of the “Bora Bora” and upcycle them for the Aviationtag X Air Tahiti Nui Edition. “Bora Bora” is now writing the next chapter in its story as an Aviationtag.
Each keychain is unique. They may differ in color tone, surface structure of the material and have minor blemishes indicating a long history of the aircraft. They are an authentic memory of his days of glory over the clouds.