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Nauru Airlines will operate a key Pacific route with the support of the Australian government for at least another year.
The Nauru flag carrier will continue its weekly Australia–North Pacific Connector service, which operates from Brisbane to Palau via Nauru, Tarawa, Majuro and Pohnpei, with the new agreement running until 21 October 2025.
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The route, which launched in 2022 under the new name after being suspended during COVID-19, was extended onwards to Palau in December last year.
“Micronesia and the central and northern Pacific is Nauru Airlines’ home, and the airline has been connecting the Islands of the Pacific, and the people of the Pacific with Australia for over 53 years,” said Nauru Airlines CEO Brett Gebers.
“Air services that connect Pacific Islands countries with an important partner like Australia, are crucial to the economic development of the region. They deliver far more than visitors and tourists, also enabling trade and new business and commercial opportunities.
“We are grateful that the Australian government recognises this and is partnering with us to support these essential flights.”
The agreement comes as Qantas is set to take over the “Palau Paradise Express”, which Nauru Airlines launched under an agreement with the government in May, within the next few months. Nauru Airlines will cease operating the non-stop Palau service when its contract expires this month.
“The successful introduction of direct Brisbane-Palau flights is also thanks to our partners and suppliers for helping us to deliver the service in record time,” Gebers said.
“As our contract comes to an end, we are delighted that national carrier Qantas will now take over operating the route next month and we look forward to working with Qantas to manage a seamless transition with minimal disruption to passengers.”
Qantas will also resume flights from Brisbane–Noumea with E190s starting December after suspending them in April, increasing from one to two per week, and add the 787-9 to Brisbane–Auckland services alongside the 737-800 and A330 from August.
Additionally, it is replacing E190s with 737s on its Brisbane–Wellington services, adding more than 600 weekly seats, as well as seasonally increasing Brisbane–Apia flights from three to five per week until mid-January, adding more than 300 weekly seats.
