Aviation History
The Cook Islands are a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand, and their aviation history reflects that relationship: Rarotonga's airstrip was built by New Zealand's Public Works Department in 1944, New Zealand controlled airspace and landing rights in exchange for funding runway upgrades, and the Cook Islands government only reclaimed full landing rights in 1985. Domestic flag carrier Air Rarotonga, founded in 1978, remains the main inter-island operator, working alongside codeshare and interline links to Air New Zealand and other Pacific carriers.
New Zealand's Department of Public Works constructed the original airstrip at Nikao, with the first flight landing in November 1945.
Following runway expansion, an Air New Zealand DC-8 made the first jet landing in December 1973, and Rarotonga formally opened to international jet operations on 28 January 1974.
Air Rarotonga began operations in July 1978 with a Cessna 337, becoming the Cook Islands' flag carrier for inter-island and regional services.
The Cook Islands government assumed full control over airport landing rights from New Zealand, reflecting its growing autonomy in aviation governance under the free-association relationship.
The airline added a Cessna Citation II in February 2017, its first jet aircraft after decades of turboprop-only operations.
Air Rarotonga
Wikipedia, Air Rarotonga corporate history, Cook Islands Airport Authority