Nauru Airlines (Nauru) will launch weekly fifth-freedom flights between Brisbane International and Koror (Palau) on May 21, providing the only non-stop service on the country pair and Brisbane's 31st direct international destination.
The six-hour overnight flights will depart Brisbane on Tuesday evenings for an early morning arrival into Koror the next day. The return flight departs Koror on Wednesday evenings for a Thursday morning arrival at Brisbane. Nauru Airlines says it will operate the flights using a combination of B737-700 and B737-800 stock.
Nauru's existing Island Hopper flights already connect Brisbane with Koror, albeit over almost 20 hours and with stops at Nauru, Tarawa, Majuro, and Pohnpei. The airline says its new services to Palau are part of its commitment to provide essential air links to the Pacific region to support the sustainable development of island economies.
“This is a key addition to our broader Micronesian network and we know direct air access from Brisbane will be well received by travellers and the travel industry,” said Nauru Airlines CEO Brett Gebers.
Nauru Airlines uses its Australian air operator's certificate - Nauru Airlines (Australia) (ON, Brisbane International) - to operate a mixed fleet of freight and passenger-configured aircraft, with two B737-300s, one B737-700, and a recently inducted B737-800 supporting its scheduled and charter passenger operations. In addition to the Island Hopper and new Brisbane-Koror flights, Nauru's scheduled services include regular flights between Brisbane and Nauru, Kiritimati and Tarawa, Nauru and Tarawa, Majuro and Tarawa, and Nauru and Nadi.
The new service between Brisbane and Koror will operate with financial support from the Australian government under its Australia-Pacific Partnerships for Aviation Program.
