Close to 3000 Fijians living in Cook Islands will this week ask the Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to look at having a direct flight between Fiji and the Cook Islands.
Last night hundreds of them turned up at the Rarotonga international airport to witness the arrival of a Fiji Airways flight that brought regional leaders into the country for the 52nd Pacific Forum Islands Leaders Meeting.
At a meeting with Fiji’s High Commissioner in New Zealand, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola on Saturday night, a member of the Fiji Cook Islands Association said flying through Auckland is costly and obtaining New Zealand visas is a hassle as the NZ High Commission in Rarotonga doesn’t issue them.
Ratu Inoke acknowledged the complaint and urged the Association to raise the issue with the Prime Minister.
The arrival of Fiji Airways plane welcomed with a cheer and singing of hymns by the Fijians present at the airport.
The flight was chartered by the Pacific Islands Forum and left soon after picking up some local passengers.
