Direct flights send Niue spirits skyhigh

By JOHN ANDREWS

Niue's hopes of economic salvation have received a solid boost with confirmation that Samoa's Polynesian Airlines is about to launch a direct service linking the island to Auckland.

The Niue Government has signed a five-year agreement with the Apia-based airline to fly Auckland-Niue-Samoa and return once a week, using a Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

The service starts from Auckland on October 26, but a special flight may go to Niue a week before, coinciding with the annual constitution celebrations.

Niue's tourism industry has languished since Royal Tongan Airlines withdrew its direct 737-200 service between Niue and Auckland more than a year ago.

Faced with a stopover in Tonga, tourists opted to bypass the island as an attractive destination.

Richard Gates, Polynesian Airlines chief executive, said the new service would leave Auckland for Niue about 11.30am on Saturdays and fly on to Samoa.

The return service from Samoa, through Niue, would arrive in Auckland about 6pm on Tuesdays.

Niue Premier Young Vivian said: "This is the breakthrough we have been waiting and praying for.

"I'm sure it is going to open up a number of things economically, with people [Niueans] coming back and tourists returning."

Mr Vivian acknowledged the role New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials had played in helping Niue to restore the aviation lifeline.

New Zealand's overseas aid programme would help Niue with airport equipment needed for regular overseas flights.

"We have been looking at the Niue situation for a long time," Mr Gates said. "Our Prime Minister and chairman of Polynesian Airlines, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, is keen to help a Pacific neighbour and we have found a way where it is commercially viable, bending a scheduled service in both directions."

Mr Gates said overseas visitors, especially those using the airline's popular Polypass island-hopping fare, would now have convenient access to another attractive South Pacific destination in Niue.

"We will be promoting holiday packages in our main source markets, combining all the South Pacific destinations in our network."

Niue has two hotels, both considered good by Pacific standards.

Of suggestions that Air Rarotonga may wish to start a Cook Islands-Niue service, Mr Gates said his airline was keen to work with others in linking South Pacific countries.