The company has been registered since last year and has applied for a national air service license, Cook Islands News reported.
The airline is set to become the second domestic airline, competing with Air Rarotonga.
Kia Orana Air aims to offer a low-cost alternative regular scheduled service to both the northern and southern group islands.
Managing director Mark Lusby said planning is nearly complete with a few hurdles to go before the airline is up and running. He told CKI News last year that the airline hoped to start operating by Christmas 2008.
“A lot of people are probably wondering as to when our new airline is going to take off,” he said. “Over the last six months we have had so many inquiries if we are actually going to begin operations. The answer is ‘yes’ we will be getting off the ground but when is the key question now.”
“One of the main issues we have at the moment is finding suitable check-in facilities at the domestic check-in area. The check-in counters are occupied by Air NZ and Air Rarotonga, leaving little or no space for the new airline,” said Lusby.
Kia Orana Air has just launched its recruitment program seeking expressions of interest to set up an employee database.
