Air New Zealand will operate to the Cook Islands two to three times weekly
from 17 May, using its 787-9 fleet. This follows the opening of two-way
quarantine-free travel bubble between New Zealand and Rarotonga.
The airline expects to operate daily from July in time for the school holidays.
NZ’s CEO Greg Foran says it’s terrific to be opening the bubble between Rarotonga
and New Zealand in both directions after four months of a one-way arrangement.
‘The Cook Islands hold a very special place for New Zealanders and Air
New Zealand. We know it’s a popular destination because in 2019, of the
446,000 Kiwis who took a trip to the Pacific Islands, almost 110,000 headed to
Rarotonga.’
Kia Orana to bubble no. 2
Scott Tasker, Auckland Airport’s general manager aeronautical commercial, says
the two-way, quarantine-free connection will not only provide a critical lifeline for
the Cook Islands tourism industry, but an easier connection for friends and whānau.
‘Opening up two-way quarantine-free travel will not only be a much needed
boost to the Cook Islands economy, particularly ahead of the winter months,
but gives the tens of thousands of Cook Islanders living in New Zealand an
opportunity to travel to the islands again,’ he says. ‘Auckland Airport has been
operating a fully separated international terminal for two weeks now, and it will
be fantastic to welcome back more ‘green’ international travellers to its dedicated
safe travel zone.’
courtesy Travel memo