Cook Islands and French Polynesia elevate bilateral ties with signing of Air Services Agreement

On the eve of the Cook Islands’ 60th anniversary of self-governance, Prime Minister Mark Brown and President Moetai Brotherson of French Polynesia convened in Rarotonga to reaffirm a shared commitment to deeper cooperation and mutual development, marked by the signing of a landmark Air Services Agreement (ASA) between the Government of the Cook Islands and the Government of French Polynesia, for the French Republic.

The ASA provides a formal legal framework to underpin and expand commercial air links between Rarotonga and Pape’ete, which have grown steadily since 2022. It ensures greater operational flexibility for carriers, enhances market access, and supports broader efforts to stimulate trade, tourism, and economic recovery.

“This Agreement reflects the progress we’ve made, and the promise of what’s to come,” said Prime Minister Brown. “What began as a targeted effort to re-establish flights has evolved into a broader partnership with real momentum. The ASA enshrines that progress and sets the platform to advance our cooperation across sectors that matter deeply to our people.”

Since the reinstatement of direct flights in August 2022, air services have expanded from weekly connections to four flights per week as of June 2025, supported by a strong commercial partnership between Air Rarotonga and Air Tahiti. The steady growth in capacity and demand has played a vital role in supporting tourism, business, and people-to-people ties.

The Leaders acknowledged the ASA as a gateway to formalising broader bilateral arrangements, including the anticipated signing of a Bilateral Agreement on Development Cooperation. The agreement currently under joint review will outline priority areas for future collaboration, including education and vocational training, health and sport, trade and investment, agriculture, digital development, and cultural exchange.

Discussions also turned to regional matters, including preparations for the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting. Both Leaders reflected on the significance of the current review of the regional architecture and reaffirmed the need for a system that better serves the development priorities of all Forum members, particularly Smaller Island States.

Both Prime Minister Brown and President Brotherson commended the productive and respectful collaboration between their governments and reaffirmed their shared ambition to translate long-standing cultural and familial ties into practical outcomes that deliver for their people.