iscover
Jetstar’s first service from Brisbane to the Cook Islands has taken off, bringing its total seats to the island nation to more than 110,000 per year.
Flight JQ105 left Brisbane for Rarotonga at around 10:40pm on Monday night aboard the A321neo LR VH-OSE. The service will operate three times per week, and gives Brisbane its 35th international destination, with Jetstar remaining Queensland’s largest international carrier.
This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
“Rarotonga is a stunning destination, and Queenslanders have jumped at the chance to reach this island paradise on this new direct service,” said Jetstar executive manager customer and digital, Prue McKenzie.
“As we continue to grow our international network, we’re focused on delivering even more low-fares and more great experiences, giving customers more chances to take off, for less.
“We’re excited to work with our partners, including the Cook Islands Government, to bring this beautiful island closer to more Australians.”
Brisbane Airport chief executive Gert-Jan de Graaff said the new Cook Islands service gives Brisbane the largest network in the world for South Pacific connections, with 11 destinations across the region.
“Welcoming a new international service is always an exciting milestone, particularly at a time when global conditions continue to challenge aviation,” he said.
“Brisbane continues to gain momentum as a resilient and fast-growing hub, and this new route capitalises on the strong demand for travel by Queenslanders.
“This new route will give Queenslanders direct access to the Cook Islands and their warm hospitality, tropical climate and vibrant island culture.”
Jetstar now serves Rarotonga from both Sydney and Brisbane, and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown said the flights are “significant” for the nation.
“Having Jetstar flights from Sydney has been fantastic, but the addition of three flights per week from Brisbane makes it that much easier for Queenslanders and all our diaspora to reach our tropical paradise,” he said.
“Tourism is the backbone of the Cook Island’s economy, contributing approximately 75 per cent of the country’s GDP.
“This will provide a major boost to our tourism sector and the financial impact for local tourism operators and the nation will be very positive.
“We are delighted that Jetstar is making this commitment to the Cook Islands, and Cook Islanders are always ready to welcome Australian visitors with open arms and warm smiles.”
In July 2023, Jetstar became the first Australian carrier to fly non-stop to the Cook Islands since the cancellation of an Ansett service in the early 1990s, when it launched flights to Rarotonga from Sydney. The only other carrier to have offered a direct service in recent years is Air New Zealand.
Want to see more stories from trusted news sources?
Make Australian Aviation a preferred news source on Google.
Click here to add Australian Aviation as a preferred news source.
