Air New Zealand has re-signed agreements with the Cook Islands Government to operate non-stop services between Rarotonga and Los Angeles and Rarotonga and Sydney.

The airline has worked alongside the Cook Islands Government to operate a weekly return service to Los Angeles since 2007 and to Sydney since 2010.

Air New Zealand Manager Pacific Islands Peter Walsh says the airline's latest safety video which was shot in the Cook Islands has helped to cast a global spotlight on the tropical beauty of the Cooks.

“The agreements ensure that visitors from both the Northern Hemisphere and Australia have convenient travel options that allow them to experience this island paradise in person.”

Air New Zealand was announced as the preferred bidder for the tender to provide the two long haul services in November following a comprehensive Government review of the underwritten contracts.

“We are honoured to renew these two four year agreements to operate to Los Angeles and Sydney from Rarotonga” says Mr Walsh. 

“These services will help to further stimulate tourism in the Cooks and ensure the picturesque islands remain accessible to those outside of New Zealand.”

In 2013 Air New Zealand carried around 200,000 people to Rarotonga from Auckland, Sydney and Los Angeles.

Ends

Issued by Air New Zealand Public Affairs ph +64 21 747 320 

About Star Alliance:

Air New Zealand is proud to be a member of Star Alliance.  The Star Alliance network was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance to offer worldwide reach, recognition and seamless service to the international traveller. Its acceptance by the market has been recognized by numerous awards, including the Air Transport World Market Leadership Award and Best Airline Alliance by both Business Traveller Magazine and Skytrax. The member airlines are: Adria Airways, Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAM Airlines, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, THAI, United and US Airways. Air India has been announced as a future member airline with Avianca Brazil to join under the existing Avianca membership. Overall, the Star Alliance network offers more than 21,900 daily flights to 1,328 airports in 195 countries.

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