Our Aircraft Fleet - Saab 340, Embraer Bandeirante, Cessna 172

A little bit of history...

Rarotonga International Airport with its 2300 metre concrete runway opened for international jet operations in November 1973.

Immediately after World War II travel to the Cook Islands was by NAC and RNZAF DC3 that plodded along at a sedate 150 knots via Fiji and Samoa. Then in the 1950s and early 60s the DC3 service gave way to TEAL Shorts Solent flying boats that operated the renown Coral Route connecting Fiji, Samoa, Aitutaki and Tahiti with a weekly service.

From 1963 to 1973 Hawker Siddley 748 turbo-props of Air Pacific and Polynesian Airlines flew the route from Samoa to Rarotonga returning via Aitutaki once each week. The arrival of Air New Zealand’s McDonnell Douglas DC8 jets in 1973 heralded the beginning of the tourism industry for the Cook Islands growing from a few hundred annual arrivals to more than 120,000 visitors in 2012. Air Rarotonga was founded in 1978 with a twin engined 5 passenger Cessna 337 operating non-scheduled services and charter mainly around the Southern islands, with the occasional flight to distant Tongareva-Penrhyn.

Today's Fleet

Piston engined aircraft gave way to the first turbo-props when the company introduced the 15 passenger Embraer Bandeirante in 1989 adding two more of the type in subsequent years. Increasing demand on the Aitutaki route saw the introduction of the modern 34 passenger Saab 340 Regional Airliner in 2000. In 2017 a Cessna Citation II Model 550 light jet, equipped for Coral Runways and Medevac was added to the fleet. 

Fleet Information

Saab 340B+
Length	19.73 m
Wing Span	21.44 m
Height	6.97 m
Crew	2 pilots, 1 flight attendant
Capacity	34 passengers
Propulsion	2 x General Electric CT7-9B 1870 shp each
Cruising Speed	283 knots, 524 km/h
Cruising Altitude	Maximum 25,000 feet, 7.600 m
Range	935 nm, 1735 km
The 34 seat Saab 340A regional airliner joined the fleet in 2000 and this aircraft has since provided the core scheduled service between Rarotonga and Aitutaki up to five frequencies per day. In July 2018 Air Rarotonga replaced the Saab 340A with a newer 340B+ Model with many new features and passenger amenities such as larger overhead bins, a refreshed cabin, faster cruise speed and active noise control.

Embraer EMB110P1 'Bandeirante'
Length	15.10 m
Wing Span	15.40 m
Height	4.90 m
Crew	2 pilots
Capacity	15 passengers
Propulsion	2 x Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34, 750 shp each
Cruising Speed	195 knots, 360 km/h
Cruising Altitude	10,000 feet, 3.050 m
Range	1060 nm, 1964 km
The brazilian made Embraer Bandeirante, nicknamed 'Bandit' by crew and locals alike, provides excellent scheduled passenger service and charter to the smaller islands of the southern and northern group being an ideal size, with a large cargo door, and proven reliability on short unpaved coral runways. This aircraft represents an ideal combination of ruggedness, reliability and speed required for the relatively large distance over open water between the islands.

Cessna Citation II Model 550
Length	14.39 m
Wing Span	15.9 m
Height	4.57 m
Crew	1 or 2 pilots
Capacity	8 passengers
Propulsion	2 × Pratt & Whitney JT15D-4B turbofans , 2,500 lbf (11.12 kN) each
Cruising Speed	403 knots, 746 km/h at 35.000 ft
Service Ceiling	43.000 feet, 13.100 m
Range	1.500 nm, 2.778 km
This aircraft was acquired in late 2016 and joinmed our fleet in February 2017 under the  Pacific Private Jet marque. Its range, speed, gravel kit and Stretcher equipment make it ideal for Charters and Medevac operations  to and from all Cook islands and to neighbouring Kiribati, Samoa, Niue, Tonga and French Polynesia. More information is available on PacificPrivateJet.com

Cessna 172 'Skyhawk
Length	8.28 m
Wing Span	11 m
Height	2.72 m
Crew	1 pilot
Capacity	2 passengers
Propulsion	1× Continental CD-135 Turbo Charged Diesel Engine, 135 hp
Cruising Speed	100 knots, 186 km/h
Service Ceiling	13500 feet, 4116 m
Range	687 nm, 1272 km
This aircraft is used for pilot training and scenic flights. Its high wing design and the large windows make this an ideal aircraft for flightseeing and aerial photography. The Aircraft received a brand exterior and interior in 2014 as well as a quiet new Diesel Engine and 3 bladed propeller in 2017.