Hawai’i gateway to 15 US cities flying Hawaiian Airlines from 20 May 23
Prime Minister Honourable Mark Brown announced that Hawaiian Airlines will commence operations into the Cook Islands nonstop from Honolulu from 20 May 2023.
“After many months of active discussions, my officials have completed the due diligence and paperwork that will see Hawaiian Airlines commence this flight in the second quarter of next year. These flights will provide important access to the North American market for the Cook Islands’ tourism sector, forming a key pillar in our recovery from COVID-19.” Said Prime Minister Brown.
Non-stop flights between North America and the Cook Islands ceased at the outbreak of Covid-19. This resulted in a loss of 15,700 seats annually and around 12,000 annual visitors to the Cook Islands from the origin markets of USA, Canada, Europe and the United Kingdom. The United States market is the third-largest single-country market (after New Zealand and Australia) for tourists coming to the Cook Islands, with over 8,400 visitors in 2019 (plus an additional 2,700 from Canada).
Cook Islands Government has been working tirelessly to re-establish better gateway routes for our Northern Hemisphere travelers.
Hawaiian Airlines is no stranger to the Cook Islands having serviced this very same route from 1987 to 1995. As a well-established airline committed to sustainability, Hawaiian Airlines is a perfect partner for the Cook Islands. And as we look to rebuild our tourism industry and strengthen access to our northern hemisphere markets, this Honolulu-Rarotonga service connects us to Los Angeles, the Pacific Northwest, and many other large U.S. Mainland cities.
Hawaiian Airlines will go on sale from December 7, 2022, and start flying to the Cook Islands from Honolulu on May 20, 2023.
Pacific Resort Hotel Group is excited for the news of this non-stop service which simplifies travel for our North American and European friends and relatives wanting to experience the warmth of our islands for the first time, or return again with friends and relatives.
Joint Press release from Hawaiian Airlines and Cook Islands Tourism