1942 US Army built Penryhn airstrip
1943 US Army built Aitutaki airstrip

1944 – 1945

• The New Zealand National Airways Corporation take over the regular fortnight service from NZ to Rarotonga with DC3 aircraft
• January 1951 – The first DC4 to land on the Rarotonga airstrip was the Trans-Ocean Airlines called the ‘Kansas City Kitty
• Also provided service via Norfolk Island, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa

1947 – 1952

• The New Zealand National Airways Corporation take over the regular fortnight service from NZ to Rarotonga with DC3 aircraft
• January 1951 – The first DC4 to land on the Rarotonga airstrip was the Trans-Ocean Airlines called the ‘Kansas City Kitty
• Also provided service via Norfolk Island, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa

1951 – 1960

• TEAL (Tasman Empire Airways) provided Flying Boat service via Laucala, Satapuala, Aitutaki, Bora Bora and Tahiti.
• Solent Fly Boats replace New Zealand National Airways Corporation, also operated by Tasman Empire Airlines to Aitutaki.
• November – TEAL (Air New Zealand) began the world-famous ‘Coral Route’ using the Aitutaki Lagoon

1963 – 1966

• Polynesian Airlines and TEAL agreement. TEAL purchased all seats between Apia and Rarotonga to enable a service to be provide to Rarotonga
• Polynesian Airlines and TEAL operating the NZ – Apia – Rarotonga route

1966 The Royal New Zealand Air Force was again required to provide a service to the Cooks.

1969 07 February – Aviation Agreement signed between New Zealand and the Cook Islands

1970 11 June – Work on the new international airport started

1973 05 September – The first jet aircraft to land at Rarotonga on the completed strip was an Air Pacific BAC 1-11 series 475

1974 29 January – Official opening of the Rarotonga International Airport by Queen Elizabeth II

1982 5 November – First Boeing 747 service Auckland to Rarotonga

1986 June – Airport Authority was formed

1991 Changes to the terminal

1994

• Pacific Region Conference of the Airports International Council held in Rarotonga
• Publication of “Coming in on a Jet Plane” by Colin Hall – A Pictorial History of the Cook Islands International Airport, Rarotonga, 1944

1996 – 1997 Aitutaki Terminal construction started and later opened in 1997

2003 – 2004 Sealing Aitutaki runway started

2006 Rarotonga Domestic and Check-in area extended

2009 Upgrade of Rarotonga International Airport Terminals (Arrivals and Departures) started

2010 Upgraded Terminals opened

2017 Rarotonga Car Park upgraded to computerized 24 hour ticketed parking

2018 Upgraded Instrument Landing System

2019 Airport Authority two young women become the first females to join the Airport Rescue Fire Service