Air New Zealand’s first quarantine-free flight from Rarotonga has taken off this morning, marking the start of the one-way (for now) Cook Islands travel bubble.
Air New Zealand’s very first quarantine-free flight from Rarotonga, NZ941, has just touched down in New Zealand, having departed at 7:45 am local time.
The flight landed at 11:10am NZT today at Auckland International Airport.
Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Greg Foran is pleased with how bookings have been tracking and what this flight means for more travel between New Zealand and neighbouring nations.
“We have been encouraged by an increase in bookings following the announcement, especially for January and February. The first couple of flights inbound have had strong uptake, which is terrific.”
“We knew there was pent up demand from Cook Islanders waiting to come to New Zealand without quarantining. We’re thrilled to bring the first wave of Cook Islanders who meet the quarantine-free requirements into New Zealand”
Greg Foran, Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer
“We see this as a really positive step towards a two-way airbridge with Rarotonga,” Foran concluded.
The health checks for quarantine-free travel from Rarotonga to New Zealand will occur both at the airport in Rarotonga and in Auckland Airport on arrival.
Air New Zealand will operate two flights per week, departing Rarotonga on Wednesdays and Saturdays using the airline’s A320 fleet.
READ: New Zealand Will Begin One-Way Quarantine-Free Flights From The Cook Islands Next Week
How’s the Trans-Tasman bubble looking?
It looks like the Trans-Tasman Bubble is still looking good for April 2021.
Last month New Zealand prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, announced that quarantine-free movement between Australia and New Zealand would be going ahead by the end of March, so even if it has been push back a couple of weeks, we’ll take that.
New Zealanders can currently enter Queensland, NSW and the Northern Territory without having to self-isolate on arrival – however, upon return into New Zealand passengers are still required to quarantine.