Air New Zealand announced in late December that it will commence direct services between Sydney and Rarotonga in the Cook Islands from July.
The flights will initially operate once a week during a four month trial period over the late winter peak using 223-seat 767-300s, after which a decision on the longer term future of the services will be made.
“The introduction of direct services will provide a valuable boost to the Cook Islands community and with the support of the Cooks Islands Government and Cook Islands Tourism we will be working hard to make this trial a success,” said Air New Zealand general manager Tasman Pacific airline Glen Sowry.
Air New Zealand will be the only only airline to operate direct services on the route.