With its turquoise-blue lagoons, beaches of dazzling white sand and friendly inhabitants, the tiny nation of the Cook Islands is a classic paradise. The 15 tiny tropical islands are usually a haven of tranquillity, but a recent decision to allow flights on Sundays has disrupted the peace of this isolated spot. Devout islanders are demanding that the flights are discontinued.
Traditionally, Sunday has been a day of rest in the Cook Islands but the government has sided with local businesses, which say the flights to the island of Aitutaki will help boost the local economy, which is suffering a downturn because of a drop in tourist numbers. The Sunday service will allow tourists to connect more easily with overseas aircraft from the main island, Rarotonga.
The proposal has aroused the ire of most of the population. Extra police and airport security staff were sent from the main island to ensure there was no trouble when the first flight landed last Sunday. Arriving passengers were greeted with welcome garlands, but also saw angry islanders brandishing protest banners. Two demonstrators who tried to run onto the runway were arrested.
A previous attempt to introduce Sunday flights, in 1995, failed because of widespread protests by islanders, whose dominant religion is Christianity, and church-goers have promised a similar backlash.
In an interview with the local newspaper the Reverend Charlie Okotai, of the Cook Islands Christian Church, said the islanders believe their religious beliefs, that Sunday is a day of rest and worship, are being ignored. "Sundays are for the benefit of man and the glory of God," he said. He added that the Sabbath: "forbade labour for profit, frivolous diversion and things extraneous to worship."
The Reverend Tuvaine Glassie, of the Religious Advisory Council of Aitutaki, said some 900 islanders out of a voting roll of 1315 have signed a petition saying that they do not want the new air service and he added: "We will keep going back every Sunday until the planes stop."
The president of the Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce, Theresa Manarangi Trott, said tourism was the islands' biggest earner and more visitors were desperately needed. Because of the lack of tourists, she said, some workers have had to be laid off and others were working reduced hours.
Ironically, Aitutaki won prestigious accolades at the World Travel Awards this month, including having Australasia's best beach and leading boutique resort.
Local MP Teina Bishop, who is also supporting the move, said there was a precedent for Sunday flights. "In 1953, the right was given by the church minister of that time for planes to fly into Aitutaki and there were no problems."
The Cook Islands' finance minister Sir Terepai Maoate said there were compelling reasons for the government's decision to introduce Sunday flights and that they would be trialled for six months. A referndum would then be held on Aitutaki to decide if the Sunday air service had produced social and economic benefits, he said.
