Airport Authority Cook Islands (AACI), the nation’s gateway to the world, celebrated its 51st anniversary yesterday, marking 51 years since its opening by the late Queen Elizabeth II on January 29, 1974.

The airport agency has been dedicated to creating an airport experience that embraces and showcases the beauty and spirit of the Cook Islands.

On Tuesday, thousands took part in the airport runway walk, one of a series of events the agency has organised as host of this week’s Cook Islands 60^th anniversary of self-governance celebration.

“Around 3000 people turned up for our international airport runway walk on Tuesday,” said airport authority security manager, Tukua Tangaroa.

Last year, the airport also allowed the community onto the runway for the first time ever to celebrate their 50^th birthday.

“This time around the runway walk was more coordinated,” said Tangaroa, “because there were no cyclists or skateboards/scooters, and everyone was well behaved.”

A drone was also organised to film the thousands on the runway.

Yesterday, food and other stalls were set up in the airport car park which proved popular with the community.

“Customers turned up at 7am to buy plates of food, so food ran out fast,” Tangaroa said.

The week’s activities will conclude with their string band performing on Friday, bidding “aere ra” (goodbye) to departing passengers.

For every month this year, government departments and agencies will take turns to host an event to mark 60 years of self-governance.

Airport Authority has certainly set the standard high; aside from their daily string band for passengers this week, they have also decorated the posts at the airport with woven kikau and bright flowers.