Back by popular demand – Christchurch to Rarotonga direct

Back by popular demand – Christchurch to Rarotonga direct

Direct flights from Christchurch to Rarotonga are about to be re-introduced, in time for South Islanders to plan a 2016 winter getaway.

Virgin Australia has just announced it will offer the flights on a Boeing 737-800, to begin on June 25 and run weekly every Saturday for 16 weeks, with the last flight on October 8, 2016.

Chief Commercial officer – Aeronautical, Justin Watson, says the reinstated flights are a big win for the South Island and the Cook Islands.

“Virgin Australia is offering convenient services to a destination which is much-requested and much-missed by South Islanders. A Saturday afternoon departure allows South Islanders to drive to Christchurch and fly direct to a Cook Islands vacation. In recent years, we’ve seen strong growth in numbers of New Zealanders heading to the sun in the winter months, so this service adds another option for South Islanders.”

“This definitely is fantastic news for people in the South Island looking for a winter getaway,” said Graeme West, General Manager of Cook Islands Tourism Corporation. “There hasn’t been a non-stop service from Christchurch to Rarotonga for many years, but we have had travellers and travel agents constantly asking when there will be one. We are delighted that Virgin Australia has seized the opportunity. It’s a short non-stop flight to paradise.”

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