Remote coral atoll airstrip serving Pukapuka's small community.
Location
Pukapuka Atoll, Cook Islands
Pukapuka Island Airport (IATA: PZK, ICAO: NCPK) is a small airstrip located on Pukapuka Atoll, one of the most remote atolls in the Cook Islands, situated in the northern group of the archipelago. The airport serves as the primary means of air access for the island's small population, which numbers only a few hundred residents.
The airstrip supports light aircraft operations and is served by Air Rarotonga, which operates scheduled and charter services connecting Pukapuka to Rarotonga and other Cook Islands destinations. Given the atoll's extreme remoteness, air transport is essential for both residents and the occasional visitor.
Terminals
The airport has minimal facilities with no formal terminal building, typical of remote Pacific atoll airstrips.
Getting to & from
Ground transport options on the atoll are extremely limited, with the airstrip located close to the island's small settlements and accessible mainly on foot.
Airlines here
Air Rarotonga operates scheduled light aircraft services connecting Pukapuka to Rarotonga and other Cook Islands destinations.
Notable facts
- ›Pukapuka is one of the most isolated atolls in the Cook Islands, located approximately 1,300 km northwest of Rarotonga.
- ›The island's population is only a few hundred people, making it one of the least populous atolls in the Cook Islands.
- ›The airstrip accommodates small propeller aircraft only, due to its short runway length.
- ›Pukapuka Atoll is sometimes called 'Danger Island' historically by Western navigators.
- ›Air access is critical for medical evacuations and supply deliveries to the remote community.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.