First bubble flight between Cook Islands and New Zealand lands

Air NZ restarted commercial flights from Rarotonga, on the Cook Islands, to Auckland on Thursday, following the announcement of a one-way travel bubble. The A321-271NX, ZK-NNB msn 08542, departed Avarua Rarotonga Airport at 7:48am as flight NZ941 and landed at 11:03am in Auckland. It comes after New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern said Cook Island residents would able to fly into the country without quarantine but not the other way around – in an effective reversal of the country’s bubble with Australia. The airline’s CE, Greg Foran, said he was encouraged by bookings following the announcement of the bubble, particularly for January and February. “The first couple of flights inbound have had strong uptake, which is terrific,” Foran said. “We knew there was pent up demand from Cook Islanders waiting to come to New Zealand without quarantining. We’re thrilled to bring the first wave of Cook Islanders who meet the quarantine-free requirements into New Zealand. We see this as a really positive step towards a two-way airbridge with Rarotonga.”<br/>