Pacific

Cooks PM yet to decide on flight cuts

11:59 am on 5 May 2015

A spokesman for the Cook Islands government says it is a bit early yet for the Prime Minister to say if he will accept the result of the referendum on Aitutaki, which is for a ban of flights on Sundays.

Trevor Pitt says Prime Minister, Henry Puna, is still working with the stakeholders involved with the decision to cancel air travel on Sundays.

Mr Puna called the referendum as part of a campaign promise in the lead-up to a by-election on the island.

A majority voted for a ban because they consider Sunday to be a day of worship and rest.

Air Rarotonga plane Photo: Air Rarotonga

Mr Pitt says talks between the government, airlines, tourism operators and the Aitutaki local authorities are likely to be held tomorrow but this has yet to be officially confirmed.

The Chief Electoral Officer Taggy Tangimetua says results from last month's referendum show 56 percent of voters want Sunday flights to end.

She says the referendum is not binding on the government.