NZ cuts LA-Cooks

AIR NEW Zealand has confirmed it will not reinstate its once-aweek Rarotonga (Cook Islands) to Los Angeles route.

The decision was made as the carrier seeks instead to focus its resources on reconnecting its core Kiwis customers to the rest of the global network.

Tourism in the Cook Islands is expected to be greatly impacted by the move, with the reduced air access to result in fewer Northern Hemisphere tourists visiting.

The US market in particular produces higher spend tourists than most markets and also insulates against off peak seasons.

Air New Zealand will continue to operate Auckland to Rarotonga services 12 times a week.