The launching of the new flight route connecting Australia to Palau is more than just connecting north and south and people-to-people exchanges but diversifies Palau’s tourism market, said President Whipps of the inaugural flight of Air Nuigini from Australia to Papua New Guinea to Palau starting this February 28th.
He said PVA has to work with others to promote this new market, adding that he doesn’t believe there’s a pent-up demand but an opportunity to build on it.
Last week, Palau officials met with Papua New Guinea officials in the Philippines to work out the details of the flight service agreement, according to Peter Polloi, Director General of Civil Aviation at Palau National Aviation Administration. The texts of the documents were signed pending the final approval of the Papua New Guinea Parliament. He said they expect to sign the formal Flight Service Agreement after the first flight in February in Palau.
Other potentials being explored with this flight include connections to Asia via Palau, where a visa is not required or issued on arrival if passengers are staying over.
The flight is a scheduled flight, flying into Palau from Port Moresby, New Guinea, once a week, returning on the same day. (By: L.N. Reklai)