Paris, February 12, 2026 – The Board of Directors of Air Tahiti Nui has appointed Lionel Guérin as Chief Executive Officer of the company, effective February 11, 2026.

This appointment marks a significant milestone for Air Tahiti Nui, the iconic airline of French Polynesia, a strategic player in long-haul air transport, and an essential tool for sovereignty, economic development, and tourism in French Polynesia.

A recognized leader in the air transport sector, Lionel Guérin, who is deeply connected to Polynesian culture through his wife, who is from Raiatea, and his daughter, who attends secondary school in Polynesia, has extensive experience in leading and transforming companies within the sector. An experienced entrepreneur and manager, he has distinguished himself through his ability to found, develop, structure, and turn around airlines in demanding competitive environments.

Having joined the Board of Directors of Air Tahiti Nui in April 2025, he is now tasked with leading a new phase of the company’s transformation, based on a trajectory of sustainable performance, demanding governance, and the collective mobilization of its teams.

Hiro Arbelot, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Air Tahiti Nui, stated: “We have chosen an entrepreneur. An experienced and innovative leader, with a method, a long-term vision, and a proven ability to lead complex transformations. In a highly competitive and rapidly changing aviation environment, Air Tahiti Nui needed clear, demanding, and unifying leadership.”

The Chairman of the Board also took the opportunity to commend the outgoing CEO: “I would also like to warmly thank Philippe Marie for the commitment, professionalism, and sense of responsibility he demonstrated throughout his tenure.” “

Lionel Guérin, CEO of Air Tahiti Nui, stated: “Air Tahiti Nui is much more than an airline. It is a vital link between French Polynesia and the rest of the world, a symbol of openness, pride, and responsibility. I am honored by the trust placed in me and fully committed to leading, with all the teams, a path of sustainable performance, true to Polynesian values ​​and identity.”

Biography – Lionel Guérin
Married to a Polynesian woman and father of three, Lionel Guérin is a graduate engineer from the École Nationale Supérieure de Mécanique et d’Aérotechnique (ENSMA) and an airline pilot.

He served as Technical Director, Captain, instructor, and head of operational standards at Air France, before holding several leadership positions in the aviation sector. Notably, he was the founder and CEO of Airlinair, the founder and CEO of Transavia France, the founder and Chairman of HOP!, and then Deputy CEO of Air France.

He joined Air Moana at the end of 2024 to support its development and share his experience with the Polynesian teams.

A long-time advocate for environmental protection, he is the President and founder of the Aéro Biodiversité association, established in 2015.
He is a Knight of the Legion of Honour and an Officer of the National Order of Merit.