Air New Zealand is to begin direct flights between Sydney and the Cook Islands main island Rarotonga next year.
Cook Islands Tourism Minister Robert Wigmore says Cabinet has approved a financial guarantee for Air New Zealand to operate flights during a trial period of July to October 2010.
The Cook Islands Ministry of Tourism says the plans have been on their agenda for some time. It hopes the move will generate more visitors from Australia.
It says if the flight becomes commercially viable it will open up the possibility of sending products to Australia every week, including fresh fish.
