Airports in the Cook Islands: Where Can You Fly to in the Cook Islands?

Rarotonga International Airport (RAR) is the only international airport in the Cook Islands. It is located in the Avarua District on the northern coast of Rarotonga, approximately a three-minute drive from town. Check out more distances from the airport in How Long Does it Take to Travel Around Rarotonga?

International Flights at Rarotonga Airport

Rarotonga Airport has a frequent international flight schedule with New Zealand, Australia, Hawai'i and French Polynesia, where flights land at Rarotonga Airport and return to their destination the same day. Check out the airlines that run direct flights to Rarotonga Airport: Which Airlines Fly Directly to Rarotonga & the Cook Islands?

Domestic Flights at Rarotonga Airport

Rarotonga Airport is the main hub for interisland travel in the Cook Islands. If you need to travel to the outer islands of the Cook Islands, you will likely need to depart from Rarotonga Airport.

There is only one domestic airline servicing these islands, which you can learn more about in our complete guide to Domestic Flights in the Cook Islands: Your Guide to Interisland Flights.

Facilities at Rarotonga Airport

Rarotonga Airport is the airport in the Cook Islands with the most services, yet it is small and easy to navigate. The facilities at Rarotonga Airport include:

• Food and beverage - Are Kai Café, next to the international arrivals area, serves toasted tuna, chicken and ham melts, paninis, vegetable quiche, fruit plates, muffins, hot drinks, smoothies and other cold drinks. Ka Kite Café, next to the domestic/check-in area, offers coffees, cakes, toasties, tuna melts, smoked chicken paninis, club sandwiches and chicken sandwiches.
• Duty-free shopping
• Car park
• WiFi
• Lounges
• Airport shuttle, taxi and accommodation transfers
• Baggage Storage and Lockers
• ATM
• Air Rarotonga office
• Air New Zealand office
• Toilets.

We go into much more detail on these services in our guide to the Cook Islands Arrival Airport: Which Airport to Fly into the Cook Islands.

Aitutaki Airport (AIT) is the airport that receives the second-most amount of traffic in the Cook Islands. Serviced by the Cook Islands' sole domestic airline, it offers codeshare flights with international airlines, providing an easy connection at Rarotonga Airport.

The airport receives several daily return flights from Rarotonga Airport.

Facilities at Aitutaki Airport

Outside of Rarotonga, Aitutaki Airport is the airport with the most facilities, which include:

• Café - The Aquila Airport Café is located inside the airport, offering drinks and snacks.
• ATM
• WiFi - Available if you have purchased a WiFi voucher from Rarotonga Airport or a WiFi voucher with Vodafone Cook Islands - see How to Get WiFi in Rarotonga.
• Private reception areas for Pacific Resort and Aitutaki Lagoon Resort guests.
• Golf club hire - For the nearby golf course.

Airport transfers are usually pre-arranged with accommodation providers before flights arrive on the island. Learn more about airport transfers in the 10 Best Airport Transfers in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands. Plus, learn more about getting to Aitutaki in the Aitutaki Transport Guide: 10 Ways to Get to (& Around) Aitutaki.

The airports on the outer islands of the Cook Islands are as basic as they come, featuring coral runways with no facilities other than a basic shelter for check-in (and not even that on Manihiki, Penrhyn or Pukapuka). There's no ATM, no cafe, nothing; so come prepared.

The islands of Mangaia, Atiu, Mitiaro, Mauke and Manihiki all have scheduled flights. Flights to the other islands are available when demand is high, or via charter flights. Learn about how to fly to these airports in our complete guide to Domestic Flights in the Cook Islands: Your Guide to Interisland Flights.

The airports of the outer islands of the Cook Islands include:

• Atiu Airport/Enua Airport (AIU)
• Mangaia Airport (MGS)
• Mitiaro Airport/Nukuroa Airport (MOI)
• Mauke Airport (MUK)
• Manihiki Island Airport (MHX)
• Tongareva Airport/Penrhyn Airport (PYE)
• Pukapuka Island Airfield

Note that accommodation providers often offer complimentary airport transfers, so be sure to arrange your accommodation in advance of arrival on these islands. There are no other transport methods available.