Strike affects Tahiti flights

A strike by government workers at Tahiti's international airport has grounded flights in and out of the island nation.

Air Tahiti Nui says the strike by customs officers and emergency fire crews has halted the operation of all wide bodied jets to and from the gateway to French Polynesia.

So far more than 3600 passengers have been stranded in Australia, New Zealand, the United States and France and the airline has no indication of when the strike might end.

Air Tahiti Nui's Sunday service from Auckland to Papeete was cancelled.

The next service is still scheduled to operate on Thursday but a final decision on that flight will be made closer to the time.

The High Commissioner of French Polynesia is reportedly seeking to introduce emergency measures to establish minimum services at the airport, which may allow flight operations to recommence.

For updates, passengers should contact their travel agents or visit Air Tahiti Nui.

The airline says it will waive all rebooking and cancellation fees and once the strike ends rebook passengers on other flights as soon as possible.

- AAP