Pacific Blue to launch 4th Weekly Flight to Cook Islands

Pacific Blue is to launch a permanent fourth weekly flight between Auckland and Rarotonga in July, adding over 9,000 extra seats to the route each year.

The additional Pacific Blue flight, DJ 163 will depart Auckland to Rarotonga on a Monday evening at 18:30 with the return flight from Rarotonga to Auckland at 01:50. The airline’s other three Auckland-Rarotonga services are on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. The new four-times-weekly schedule will commence on 5 July 2010.

 Through fares to Rarotonga are offered from a wide range of Australian cities including one-stop connections from Sydney and Melbourne.

Pacific Blue CEO Mark Pitt said the airline trialled a fourth weekly flight over the summer holiday season and the extra service had attracted good loads.

“Thousands of Australians are already visiting Rarotonga and Aitutaki every year and by offering low fares and more flights we believe this will help the Cook Islands to grow both its Australian and New Zealand tourism numbers,” said Pacific Blue CEO Mark Pitt.

The Cook Islands Minister of Tourism, Hon. Robert Wigmore, said his government was extremely supportive of the increased services and had lent support where required to ensure the additional flight. “When people pay less to fly here they can afford to stay a little longer or visit more often. Pacific Blue is making access to the Cook Islands easier and more affordable and we look forward to a continued positive relationship with the airline.”

To celebrate the fourth service the airline is currently offering a special one-way internet fare of $229 direct from Auckland to Rarotonga. The special sale fare include taxes, fees and surcharges and is available until midnight 10 June 2010 or sold out for travel between 20 July and 15 September and between 12 October and 8 December 2010 and between 24 January and 29 March 2011. Terms and conditions apply.

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