Jetstar announces NZ - Rarotonga flights

Jetstar will start flying to Rarotonga from March next year.

Qantas' budget offshoot Jetstar has announced it'll start flying between New Zealand and the Cook Islands from March next year.

"This is positive and exciting news for the Cook Islands," said Graeme West, general manager of Cook Islands Tourism Corporation.

"Tourism is the country's main industry, and the backbone of the economy, providing approximately 60 per cent of GDP. The spinoff for the nation and for local business of a new airline adding an additional 25,000 return seats a year will be fantastic."

West said New Zealand visitors represented 67 per cent of total arrivals into the Cook Islands.

Jetstar's head of New Zealand Grant Kerr said the new service connecting New Zealand and the Cook Islands from Australia would provide more choice and competition on the route.

Koka Lagoon Cruises - on Rarotonga's Muri Beach. Kiwi tourists are the biggest source of visitors for the Cooks.

"We're very excited to announce our first direct service from New Zealand to the beautiful South Pacific," Kerr said. "The Cook Islands is a favourite destination for many New Zealanders and we're confident our low fares to Rarotonga will be warmly welcomed by holidaymakers throughout the country."

All the flights will originate from Sydney or Melbourne and Jetstar will offer Australian travellers connecting fares to Rarotonga via Auckland. This, said Kerr, would enable the Cook Islands to tap into the two biggest Australian tourism markets to grow visitation.

Thew move will add around 25,000 new return seats a year to the Auckland-Rarotonga route, representing capacity growth of more than 15 percent to the Cook Islands from New Zealand.

Return services will operate three times a week departing Auckland on Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday. The airline is offering special launch fares to celebrate the announcement, but says regular one-way lead in fares would start from $219.