The Cook Islands is celebrating its latest route, with Air Tahiti (VT) resuming its direct service between Papeete and Rarotonga. The 2 Pacific island nations have a protracted history together, and this vital link will facilitate accessible transit between the 2 countries. Air Rarotonga (GZ) already operates the route on Wednesdays with its Saab 340B. Nevertheless, Air Tahiti will deploy the ATR42-600 for a direct Saturday flight alongside an ATR72-600 for flights on Sundays.
This is not the primary time Air Tahiti has served the Cook Islands, having previously offered the service between 2007 and 2020, when the pandemic hit. Air Raro also only recently relaunched its only international service to French Polynesia, having relaunched its direct service to Papeete in August last 12 months.
Photo: Air Tahiti
Rarotonga to Papeete
- Tuesdays: GZ37, departing from Rarotonga at 14:20, arriving at Papeete by 17:00. Operated by Air Rarotonga Saab 340B.
- Saturdays: VT37, coming back from Rarotonga at 12:25, and landing into Papeete at 15:10 with Air Tahiti ATR 72-600, codeshared as GZ37.
- Sundays: VT33, departing from Rarotonga at 11:55 and touching down into Papeete at 14:30 with Air Tahiti ATR 42-600.
A deal with the Northern Hemisphere
As reiterated by Cook Islands Travel, the additional services will reconnect the 2 nations and encourage onward international connections to the Northern Hemisphere. Air Tahiti Nui’s growing North American network to Los Angeles, Seattle, and Paris will facilitate a brand new way for travelers to go to the Cook Islands.
Photo: Air Rarotonga
Rarotonga International Airport has also recently welcomed a flurry of recent international airlines, including Hawaiian Airlines resuming its direct link to Honolulu after a 30-year absence, and Australia’s Jetstar, becoming the one airline with direct flights between Australia and the Cook Islands. Jetstar will deploy its A321LR on the route from Sydney, which has replaced Air Recent Zealand, which once operated the direct flight from Sydney to the island paradise before the pandemic.
Air Recent Zealand also once connected Los Angeles and Rarotonga direct. Nevertheless, this route was axed throughout the pandemic, and to much disappointment for Cook Islanders, Air NZ has made it clear it doesn’t plan to reintroduce the link anytime soon.
Sources: Cook Islands Travel