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22-07-2015, 03:42

COOK INLET AVIATION. See INLET AIRLINES

COOK ISLAND AIR (COOK ISLAND AIRWAYS, LTD.): Cook Islands (1973-1991). The Cook Islands government 10% shareholding joins with Air New Zealand, Ltd.’s 90% shareholding in August 1973 to form this third-level airline to operate scheduled air services among the islands. Equipped with 1 each Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander and Piper PA-23 Aztec, Cook Island Air inaugurates service from Rarotonga to Aitutaki on November 25.

During the decade that follows, the Aztec is discarded; however, scheduled Islander service is started to Atiu, Mauke, and Mitiaro while charter and sight-seeing flights are also offered.

Passenger boardings in 1981 total 8,896 and in 1982 the total is 9,037. Systemwide, traffic does not advance significantly thereafter.

By 1988 General Manager B. H. Jones can only afford to keep one Islander in the air. In October, the Rarotonga-Auckland service is cancelled in favor of a route from Sydney to Rarotonga.

Paul K. Collins is named general manager in 1989. A de Havilland DHC-6 is acquired. Operations continue apace in 1990, but, as one of the economy measures undertaken by parent Air New Zealand, Ltd., Cook Island Air is shut down in 1991.

COOK ISLANDS INTERNATIONAL, LTD.: Cook Islands (1987-1991). Early in 1987, Rarotonga officials create a national flag carrier to operate service to regional South Pacific destinations. A plan is negotiated with Ansett Airlines of Australia (Pty.), Ltd. for shared-lease, joint-use, with Polynesian Airlines, Ltd., of a Boeing 727-277. Revenue flights begin before the end of the year and continue until January 1991 when, unable to maintain economic viability, the carrier is forced to shut down.

COOK STRAIT AIRWAYS, LTD.: New Zealand (1935-1939). Cook Strait Airways, Ltd. is formed at Wellington in late fall 1935 to offer scheduled services between New Zealand’s North and South Islands. With two de Havilland DH 89s christened Mercury and Jupiter, regular services are inaugurated to Nelson via Blenheim on December 30. This route is maintained during 1936 and on February 23, 1937 thrice-weekly flights are started from Nelson via Greymouth to Hokitika.

A thrice-weekly Wellington to Hokitika via Nelson frequency is introduced on October 30. The fleet in 1938 comprises 5 DH-89s. The nation’s involvement in World War II forces the company to cease operations on November 9, 1939.