Talks underway on air links between French Polynesia and the Cook Islands

Plans are afoot to resume air links between French Polynesia and the Cook Islands to bolster the two destinations' chances of receiving tourists.

As pandemic-related travel restrictions are being lifted, recent discussions in Tahiti included a plan by Air Rarotonga to fly between Papeete and Rarotonga.

This would allow a link-up with Air Tahiti Nui, which connects Papeete with Los Angeles and soon Seattle, giving access to US networks.

Rarotonga has direct air links with New Zealand, which is the dominant source of tourists to the Cook Islands.

A start of Air Rarotonga flights to Papeete is hoped to be possible in the second half of this year.

The discussions in Tahiti involved the Cook Islands prime minister Mark Brown and the head of Air Rarotonga Ewan Smith, who met the French Polynesian transport minister Yvonnick Raffin and Air Tahiti Nui executives.