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Air Rarotonga
Cook Islands

13
Routes
6
Hubs
RAR
ICAO
GZ
IATA
TravelerPulse profile
Connecting the islands of the Cook Islands.
Founded
1978
Headquarters
Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Air Rarotonga is the principal domestic and regional airline of the Cook Islands, providing essential air links between the scattered islands of this South Pacific nation. Founded in 1978, the airline has operated for decades as the lifeline carrier connecting remote outer islands to the main island of Rarotonga.
The airline operates scheduled passenger and cargo services to numerous Cook Islands destinations, including Aitutaki, Atiu, Mauke, Mitiaro, Mangaia, and Penrhyn, among others. It also serves some international routes to nearby Pacific destinations.
As a small island carrier, Air Rarotonga plays a vital role in the social and economic fabric of the Cook Islands, supporting tourism, trade, and community connectivity across an archipelago spread over a vast area of the Pacific Ocean.
Hubs & network
Air Rarotonga's primary hub is Rarotonga International Airport (RAR), from which it operates domestic and regional services.
Fleet
Air Rarotonga operates a small fleet of turboprop aircraft, primarily Saab 340s and smaller Cessna types, suited to short island routes.
Notable facts
- ›Founded in 1978, making it one of the longest-operating airlines in the Pacific island region.
- ›Serves as the essential lifeline carrier connecting remote outer islands of the Cook Islands.
- ›Operates both scheduled passenger services and cargo flights across the archipelago.
- ›The Cook Islands are self-governing in free association with New Zealand, influencing the airline's regulatory environment.
- ›Aitutaki is one of its most popular tourist destinations served from Rarotonga.
This profile is provided for general information only. Contact details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airline's official website before acting on them.
Connecting the Cook Islands with reliable inter-island air service
Air Rarotonga is the Cook Islands' premier domestic and regional carrier, founded in 1978 and headquartered at Rarotonga International Airport. The airline serves as the lifeline connecting the scattered islands of the Cook Islands archipelago, offering essential passenger and cargo services. Known for its friendly, community-focused character, it also operates select regional routes to destinations such as Niue and French Polynesia.
Primary Hubs
Cabin Classes
Economy
Fleet Note
Air Rarotonga operates a small fleet of turboprop aircraft, primarily Saab 340s and smaller Britten-Norman Islanders, suited to the short inter-island routes of the South Pacific.
AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.
Primary hubs
Route network map (13 legs)












Leaflet © OpenStreetMap © CARTO
Route network
AIT → RARSF3
AIU → RAREMB
PPT → RARAT5
RAR → MUKEMB
RAR → PPTAT5
AIT → AIUEMB
MGS → RAREMB
MOI → RAREMB
MUK → RAREMB
RAR → AITSF3 EMB
RAR → AIUEMB
RAR → MGSEMB
RAR → MOIEMB
Fleet (aircraft types operated)
Latest news
Beat of Hawaii· 2/4/2026
Our Trip From Hawaii Exposed | Five Flights Gone Wrong
Read at Beat of Hawaii
Aero South Pacific· 5/28/2026
Air Rarotonga buys Saab 340B from C+L Aerospace
Read at Aero South Pacific
Islands Business· 5/25/2026
Air Rarotonga adds fuel surcharge amid tourism capacity concerns
Read at Islands Business
RNZ· 4/16/2026
Air Rarotonga applies fuel surcharge amid Middle East tensions
Read at RNZ
travelweekly.com.au· 5/29/2026
Cook Islands hosts Pacific aviation leaders for ASPA81 conference
Read at travelweekly.com.au
Samoa Observer· 5/10/2026
Samoan girl gets ready to create Cook Islands history
Read at Samoa Observer
