Minister Assisting the President David Adeang of Nauru during the Micronesia Presidents’ Summit in Palau. (Rhealyn C. Pojas/File Photo)
Nauru Airlines is expanding its service to the North Pacific, pursuing flights to Guam and eventually adding Palau to its Micronesia routes.
David Adeang, the Nauru official who attended on behalf of the President Baron Waqa in a recently concluded Micronesia Presidents’ Summit here, said Nauru Airlines want to increase its footprint in the region.
Adeang said during the presidents and head of delegates hosted by Palau, discussions also focused on connecting small island nations through a viable aviation service in the region.
“Of more practical value to Nauru is our desire and interest in extending the footprints of Nauru Airlines to the Northern Pacific,” he said.
Adeang said there is a current plan to implement the airlines Guam service, which he hopes will happen in “two months” time.
He said from Guam, “slowly, step by step we want to expand in this region,”
In an earlier press release, Nauru Airlines said this year it has begun new services between Fiji, Nauru, Kiribati and the Republic of the Marshall Islands and Pohnpei.
Adeang said once the Guam service is finalized, it would extend its route to Palau.
“We already have rights to come to Palau, first things first to get to Guam and consider Palau after that,” Adeang stated.
In 2015, Palau and Nauru signed an air service agreement at the 46th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders inPapua New Guinea.
Palau President Thomas E. Remengesau Jr. and Nauru President Waqa signed the agreement. The pact aims to connect the two nations and other nations in the Pacific.
“I signed an air service bilateral agreement to ensure that Palau’s regional and national interest for air service continues to be addressed,” Remengesau has said during the 2015 signing.
The airline, on January 15 this year introduced the mid-week Island Hopper services from Nadi, Fiji to Majuro.
“The additional mid-week ‘Island Hopper’ service will provide both locals and tourists with the flexibility to explore more destinations in the Central and South Pacific,” Nauru Airlines Chief Executive Officer Peter Sheehan said in a press release.
Nauru Airlines fleet is comprised of four Boeing 737-300 passenger planes with six business class seats and 110 economy seats, plus a 737-300F for cargo. (Bernadette H. Carreon)