Motu Link Airline (Papeete) plans to grow its fleet to three aircraft by 2027 as it prepares to launch cargo operations, chief executive Alexandre Mu told media and consulting company Kaori Media. The start-up is awaiting its air operator's certificate, with operations expected "within a matter of weeks" once approvals are completed.

Mu said about 95% of certification with the French civil aviation authority (DGAC) is complete, with remaining steps focused on flight inspections and final audits. The airline recently completed a maintenance audit.

The carrier has recently taken delivery of an ATR72-500(F), F-OHEI (msn 713), which will serve Tahiti-outer island and interisland cargo routes. Mu said additional second-hand ATR - Avions de Transport Régional turboprops will be acquired to support reliability and maintenance coverage.

Initial operations will focus on domestic freight, with potential expansion to regional routes such as New Caledonia. As previously reported by ch-aviation, the carrier will initially fly to and from Papeete, Raiatea, Bora Bora, Rangiroa, Tubuai, and Nuku Hiva.