4/ 5 reviews
Staff & service
“The staff were welcoming, cheerful, helpful, and efficient.”
Stéphane S.5★ on Google
Airports / Cook Islands / RAR
Large airport · RAR
Rarotonga International Airport.
Avarua, Cook Islands · 19 ft elevation. A private-aviation gateway on the Bravo register.
4.2/5
Google rating
277 ratings
0
Operators based
19
Elevation ft
Scheduled service
Avarua, Cook IslandsELEV 19 FTLarge airportScheduled service
4.2
Google rating
277
Google reviews
ratings on Google
19
Field elevation
feet above sea level
476
Nearest alternate
nm to RUR
Field standing
476 nm
To the nearest alternate
Rurutu Airport (RUR).
Overview
Located in Avarua, Cook Islands, Rarotonga International Airport (NCRG / RAR) operates as a large commercial airport. The field lies at an elevation of 19 feet. The airport supports scheduled airline service as well as private jet and charter movements.
RAR has no resident charter fleet; trips here are typically flown by operators repositioning from surrounding airports. Useful alternates include Rurutu Airport (RUR, 476 nm), Maupiti Airport (MAU, 516 nm), and Bora Bora Airport (BOB, 539 nm). RAR offers a single 7,638-foot paved runway, which supports charter types through the VIP airliner class.
Quotes for flights out of RAR vary with aircraft type, repositioning, and schedule flexibility. Use the cost estimator to model a trip from RAR, or browse verified operators serving the area.
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What fliers highlight.
From the stored review texts
3/ 5 reviews
Easy in & out
“The arrival process was smooth and well organised, and the relaxed atmosphere made the whole experience very enjoyable.”
Stéphane S.5★ on Google
3/ 5 reviews
Terminal & facilities
“This is surprisingly good it was so nice to see you again my beautiful Rarotonga till next time I will be back to greet you always , please take care of my mum…”
emily boran5★ on Google
Themes counted by keyword across Google review texts for Rarotonga International Airport, every quote is verbatim from a real review.
Field capability
ICAO
NCRG
IATA
RAR
FAA / Local
NCRG
Elevation
19 ft
Coordinates
21.2027° S · 159.8060° W
Airspace
G · GolfClass G, GolfUncontrolled field, no tower. Pilots self-announce and sequence themselves on the common traffic advisory frequency.Source: FAA NASR class airspace
Size
Large
Scheduled svc
Yes
Runways & aircraft access
1 runway
longest 7,638 ft
- 08/267,638 ft × 150 ftConcreteLighted
Which aircraft can operate here
vs longest paved runway 7,638 ft
RAR's 7,638 ft paved runway typically supports charter aircraft up to VIP airliners.
- Turboprop3,000 ft
- Light Jet3,500 ft
- Midsize Jet4,500 ft
- Super-Midsize Jet5,000 ft
- Heavy Jet5,500 ft
- VIP Airliner6,000 ft
Class minimums are sea-level planning rules of thumb. A specific aircraft's balanced-field length varies with weight, temperature, and field elevation. Confirm performance with the operator.
Access & alternates
Closest alternate fields by great-circle distance, every listing links to its own field brief.
- 476nmRURRurutu Airport
- 516nmMAUMaupiti Airport
- 539nmBOBBora Bora AirportMotu Mute
- 544nmRFPRaiatea AirportUturoa
- 568nmHUHHuahine-Fare AirportFare
- 584nmIUENiue International AirportAlofi
Location
Open the full mapNCRG · Rarotonga International Airport · Avarua, Cook Islands
Flight times from here
Approximate nonstop block times from RAR on a typical midsize charter jet. Faster classes trim these; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.
| Destination | Distance | Block time |
|---|---|---|
| Honolulu (HNL) | 2,555 nm | 6h 21m |
| Los Angeles (VNY) | 4,079 nm | 9h 53m |
| San Francisco (SFO) | 4,116 nm | 9h 58m |
| Las Vegas (LAS) | 4,272 nm | 10h 20m |
| Scottsdale (SCF) | 4,282 nm | 10h 21m |
| Salt Lake City (SLC) | 4,578 nm | 11h 3m |
| Seattle (SEA) | 4,592 nm | 11h 5m |
| Aspen (ASE) | 4,688 nm | 11h 18m |
Common questions
- What size private jets can use RAR?
- Rarotonga International Airport's longest paved runway is 7,638 ft, which typically supports charter aircraft up to VIP airliners. Lighter classes (turboprops, light and midsize jets) operate comfortably; confirm exact performance for a specific tail with the operator, since balanced-field length shifts with weight, temperature, and elevation.
- What is the longest runway at RAR?
- Rarotonga International Airport has one runway; the longest measures 7,638 ft on a paved surface and is lit for night operations.
- What is the nearest major airport to RAR?
- The closest alternate is Rurutu Airport (RUR), about 476 nm away, followed by Maupiti Airport (MAU) at 516 nm. Operators often position aircraft between these fields depending on ramp space and availability.
- How long is a flight from RAR to major cities?
- Typical block times on a midsize jet: Honolulu about 6h 21m (2,555 nm), Los Angeles about 9h 53m (4,079 nm), San Francisco about 9h 58m (4,116 nm). Faster classes trim these times; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.