Qantas’ budget offshoot, Jetstar, has announced it will start flying to the Cook Islands next year, but Australians will still have to stop by New Zealand to get there.
Starting in March the airline will fly between Auckland and Rarotonga, increasing competition for Air New Zealand, the main carrier currently travelling between the two destinations.
Services will depart Auckland on Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday and return on the same day.
The move will add around 25,000 new return seats on the route per year, representing a 15 percent capacity growth to the Cooks from New Zealand.
It will also give Aussies more options when flying to the island nation with connecting fares from Sydney or Melbourne to Rarotonga via Auckland.
Grant Kerr, Head of Jetstar New Zealand, believes additional capacity will help the Cooks boost visitor numbers by tapping into two of Australia’s biggest tourism markets.
“We’re very excited to announce our first direct service from New Zealand to the beautiful South Pacific.”
Grant Kerr, Jetstar New Zealand Boss
“The Cook Islands is a favourite destination for many New Zealanders and we’re confident our low fares to Rarotonga will be warmly welcomed by holidaymakers throughout the country.”
Tourism from Australia and New Zealand to the Cooks has been on a steady incline over recent years as a result of increased marketing activity led by the destination’s tourism bureau.
Visitor arrivals boomed in June this year, with a 4.3 percent increase year-on-year to a total of 12,882. Kiwis dominated arrivals, making up 75.4 percent of arrivals, followed by Australians – 14.6 percent.
Around 10.7 percent of tourists visit the Cook Islands for their wedding.
