A new weekly flight is to operate between Honolulu in Hawai and Rarotonga, Cook Islands, with Hawaiian Airlines starting in May.
In addition, a twice-weekly flight from Sydney to Rarotonga with Jetstar will be available from June.
Both flights are on sale now.
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown said the news was ‘very important” for the small island nation, where tourism is the backbone of its economy, contributing 75% of GDP.
He said: “The new services provide a major boost to our tourism sector and the financial impact for local tourism operators and the nation is significant. We are delighted that Hawaiian Airlines and Jetstar are making this commitment to the Cook Islands.”
Located halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii, UK and Irish visitors can now access the Cook Islands via 15 US gateway cities connecting on to Rarotonga with Hawaiian Airlines, fly direct from Sydney with JetStar, from Auckland with Air New Zealand and Jetstar and from Tahiti with Air Rarotonga.
Home to authentic Polynesian culture, clear lagoons, white sand beaches and a tropical climate, was named as the top country to visit in Lonely Planet’s 2022 Hot List.
