Cook Islands
2.2.1 Cook Islands Rarotonga International Airport
Home

Airport Overview

Rarotonga International Airport is capable of handling aircraft up to Boeing B789’s and B747’s. The Terminal has two gates that can accommodate two international aircraft at a time. The apron can be congested at times but apron can accommodate up to 3 internationals provided two aircraft are of medium category and the other a heavy category aircraft. Because the Terminal is small, there can be congestion at the check-in area if there are 3 international airlines checking in at the same time and at screening.

Airport Location and Contact

Country

Cook Islands

Province or District

Te Au O Tonga

Nearest Town or City
with Distance from Airport

Avarua

3 (km)

Airport’s Complete Name

Rarotonga International Airport

Latitude

21° 12’ 05”S

Longitude

159° 47’ 57”W

Elevation (ft and m)

19 ft / 6 m

IATA Code

 RAR

ICAO Code

NCRG

Managing Company or Airport Authority

Cook Islands Airport Authority

Management Contact Person

Joseph Ngamata

Open From (hours)

ADMINISTRATION 0800 hrs.

Open To (hours)

1600 hrs. (Except during Public holidays)

Airport Picture

List of Areas identified in image:

Aviation Security services office
Rescue Fire Services
Airport Authority Administration & Operations
Customs, Immigration, Quarantine offices
Rental vehicles office
Air New Zealand office
Air Rarotonga office
Cargo
Air Rarotonga Hangar
DHL Courier services
Freight Service Fedex

Description and Contacts of Key Companies

International airlines that serve Rarotonga International airport are Air New Zealand, JETSTAR, Virgin Australia and Air Tahiti. JETSTAR, Virgin Australia and Air Tahiti. Ground handling services are handled by Air Rarotonga.

For more information on airport contacts, please see the following link: 4.5 Airport Companies Contact List 

Information on some aviation service providers can be found at: http://www.azfreight.com/

Passenger and Cargo Performance Indicator

There has been a steady increase of passenger and cargo arrivals into Rarotonga over the years. The airport is in the planning process of building a new cargo facility.  The size of the new building will be similar the current one.

Performance for YEAR 2017

 

Per Year

Per Month

Per Day

Total Aircraft Movements

1929

160

6

Total Passengers

348,017

29,000

966

Total Capacity of the Airport (MT)

6,700 MT

560 MT

20 MT

Current Activity of the Airport (MT)

Av. 3,360 MT

Av.280 MT

Varies 2 – 15 MT

Current use by Humanitarian Flights (UNHAS)

N/a

N/a

N/a

The Air NZ Cargo office is not capable of holding multiple units of cargo e.g. a fully laden 777-200 aircraft with about 10 PMCs (Prorate Manual-Cargo), would stretch total storage capacity hence large or regular Importers are asked to uplift their cargo immediately on unloading to allow temporary storage of the balance.

Runways

The condition of the runway is good. Plans are already in place for runway rejuvenation and to improve sealing. An extension to one side of the runway 26, RESA, is expected to be completed by year 2020.

Single runway

Runway Dimensions

2329 (m) X 45 (m)

Orientation

Runway 08/26

Surface

Concrete

 

Helicopter Pad(s)

 

There are no designated helicopter pads. The apron in front of the terminal has been used for landings in the past and there is ample space to park on the grassed areas adjacent to the runway if overnight parking is required.

Helipad #1

Present

No

Largest Helicopter that can Land

Any size

Width and Length (m)

N/a

Surface

N/a

 

Airport Infrastructure Details

 

The Airfield is kept in good condition. A new ILS has just been installed with duel PAPI replacing the TVASIS. 

 

Customs

Yes

JET A-1 fuel

Yes

Immigration

Yes

AVGAS 100

No

Terminal Building

Yes

Single Point Refuelling

Yes

Passenger Terminal

Yes

Air Starter Units

Yes

Cargo terminal

Yes

Ground Power (mobile)

Yes

Pax Transport to Airfield

Yes

Ground Handling Services

Yes

Control Tower

Yes

Latrine Servicing

Yes

Weather Facilities

Yes

Fire Fighting Category (ICAO)

CATEGORY 8

Catering Services

Yes

De-icing Equipment

No

Base Operating Room

Yes

Parking Ramp Lighting

Yes

Airport Radar

No

Approach & Runway Lights

Yes no lead in lights

NDB

Yes

VOR

Yes

ILS

Yes

   

 

Airport Operating Details

Operating Details

Maximum Sized Aircraft that can be Offloaded on Bulk Cargo

 777-300

Maximum Sized Aircraft that can be Offloaded on Pallet

777-300

Total Aircraft Parking Area (m²)

7,500

Storage Area (m3 and MT)

1600m3

Handling Equipment

Elevators / Hi Loaders

No

Max Capacity (MT)

N/a

Max Height

(m)

N/a

Loading Ramps

No

Other Comments

They have a 2.5 tonne forklift to load and unload cargo.

Customs Guidance

 

Passengers arriving and staying in Cook Islands must clear customs at Rarotonga International Airport including passengers transiting en-route to an outer island. Administration hours of work are from 0800-1600 hours Mon-Friday and during international arrivals and departures at Rarotonga International airport.  .

For more information on customs in Rarotonga, please see the following link: 1.3 Customs Information 

Email:     www.customs.info@cookislands.gov.ck

Website: www.customs.gov.ck

Storage Facilities

Storage facilities are limited on the airport, and currently operating at capacity.

Airfield Costs

Navigation Charges

Payments for landing charges are to be paid to Cook Islands Airport Authority Administration building in Finance and Accounts section. This can be paid either through handling agent or direct.

 

Charges Aircraft Weight - MTOW (kg)
 

0 - 7,000

Under 400,000kg

Over 400,000kg

Navigation (per journey) USD - $

NIL (Upper airspace charges with Auckland Oceanic)

NIL (Upper airspace charges with Auckland Oceanic)

NIL (Upper airspace charges with Auckland Oceanic)

Landing USD - $

$1.59

$9.09

$14.25

Night Landing USD - $

same as above + $35.18

same as above + $35.18

same as above + $35.18

Night Take-Off USD - $

same as above + $35.18

same as above + $35.18

same as above + $35.18

Parking

first 4 hours free, Each hour thereafter is $10/hour

first 4 hours free, Each hour thereafter is $10/hour

first 4 hours free, Each hour thereafter is $10/hour

Handling Charges

(INTL Pax Terminal charge per handling arriving & departing passenger) 

 $4.64

 $4.64

 $4.64

Fuel Services Charges

The main refueller is Pacific Energy. There are various rates depending on the Customer’s annual volumes. Regular customers are the Airlines that operate in/out of Rarotonga. Adhoc (non-schedule flights) will usually work with international bulk fuel agents that have contracts with PACENERGY:

  1. WFS
  2. UVair
  3. Jetex
  4. AEG or
  5. Avfuel

 

 The PAP prices(posted airport price) as follows:

 

Price per Litre USD - $

Jet A-1

435.78 USC/Gal
USD$ 1.1512 /Litre

Avgas

N/a

Cargo Terminal Charges

Import Charges

Type of Charge

Rate NZD -$ per Kg or Unit

Rate NZD -$ per Kg or Unit incl. VAT

Cargo Administration Fee

Applies to all import port master air waybills processed through the Air NZ Cargo terminals in Rarotonga

$25.00

$28.75

Storage General Cargo Fee

Storage is free for general cargo for the 96 hours following actual arrival time of the aircraft thereafter the storage charge is applicable

$25 Minimum / 20 cents per Kg

$28.75 Minimum / 23 cents per Kg

Storage Consolidated / Chilled & Valuable Cargo Fee

Storage is free for Consolidated Cargo for the 24 hours following actual arrival time of the aircraft thereafter the storage charge is applicable.

$25 Minimum / 20 cents per Kg

$28.75 Minimum / 23 cents per Kg

Bag Tag Customs Bond Fee

Handling of Customs held Baggage in bonded area

$30  per piece

$34.50  per piece

Loose Handling Fee Import

Applies to all Import cargo requiring breaking down for delivery

$5 Minimum / 5 cents per Kg

$5.75 Minimum / 5.75 cents per Kg

AVI Handling Fee Import

Handling charges for Import Dog & Cat shipments

$30  per piece

$34.50  per piece

Delivery  After-hours Fee

Pricing on request and by agreement only

Export Charges

Type of Charge

Rate NZD -$ per Kg or Unit

Rate NZD -$ per Kg or Unit incl. VAT

Cargo Administration Fee

Applies to all export master air waybills processed through the Air NZ Cargo terminals in Rarotonga

$25.00

$28.75

Terminal Security Fee

Applies to all outbound shipments

$15 Minimum / 3 cents per Kg

(Minimum retail only)

$17.25 Minimum/3.45 cents per Kg

Security Screening Fee

Applies to all outbound cargo

$3.50 per piece

$4.03 per piece

Storage Valuable Cargo Fee

Applies to all valuable shipments that are delivered to the cargo terminal more than 90 minutes prior to the scheduled aircraft departure time.  Valuable cargo presented 90 minutes or less from the scheduled aircraft departure time is free of charge.

$50 Minimum /  40 cents per Kg

$57.50 Minimum / 46 cents per Kg

Dangerous Goods Fee

Applies to all export shipments that contain dangerous goods that require the certification and cargo checked.

$70.00

$80.50

Dangerous Goods Fee

IATA Agent – Dangerous goods certified

Applies to all export shipments that contain dangerous goods that presented with all cargo and documents fully compliant with the IATA Dangerous Goods regulations.

$52.00

$59.80

Loose Handling Fee Export

Applies to all export cargo presented loose for carriage

$5 Minimum / 5 cents per Kg

$5.75 Minimum / 5.75 cents per Kg

AVI Handling Fee Export

Handling charges for export Dog & Cat shipments

$30  per piece

$34.50  per piece

Acceptance After Hours Fees

Pricing on request and by agreement only

Air-bridge Charges

No air bridge available - only step ladder which airlines utilise for international movements for boarding or disembarking. 

Security

Security procedure measures for aviation have been strengthened since 9/11. Security check procedures have been increased for flights to the US mainland. Check-in for passengers commences four hours prior to ETD as per TSA requirement. Airfield is fully fenced.

Jump to top