KOROR, Palau — Qantas Airlines marked a milestone Saturday night with the arrival of its inaugural direct flight from Brisbane to Palau, greeted by a water cannon salute at Roman Tmetuchl International Airport.
Palau Visitors Authority Managing Director Kadoi Ruluked welcomed the new service, emphasizing the airline’s potential to expand Palau’s reach to the Australian market and beyond.
“We are very excited with the arrival of Qantas,” said Ruluked. “This partnership is expected to open Palau to a broader Australian audience through Qantas’ extensive network and provide alternative connections to global markets.”
Ruluked highlighted the benefits of Qantas’ membership in the OneWorld alliance, which connects travelers to destinations worldwide, including routes from the U.S. west coast to Australia and Palau.
The service, dubbed the “Palau Paradise Express,” is part of a contract awarded by the Australian government aimed at boosting trade, tourism, and cultural ties between Australia and Palau.
Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace expressed enthusiasm for the new route, noting strong interest from travelers.
“When we first announced the ‘Palau Paradise Express’ in October, we saw an immediate surge in searches for Palau, highlighting the demand for unique, less-explored destinations,” Wallace said in a statement. “Australians are always seeking new holiday experiences, and we’re thrilled to connect them to Palau through this exciting new route.”
Qantas is offering an economy round-trip fare starting at $720 from Brisbane to Palau. The offer is available on a first-come, first-served basis, with no set end date.
The flights are once a week, departing Brisbane each Saturday, arriving same day in Palau. The flight departs Palau to Brisbane on Sunday morning, arriving Brisbane around noon, or about 6 hours flight. (By: L.N. Reklai)