A TOTAL of 108 passengers aboard Nauru Airlines flight ON019 landed at Nausori International Airport at 11.47pm on Thursday on its inaugural flight to Suva, marking the return of the Republic of Nauru’s flag carrier since ceasing this route in the 1990s.
After more than a decade, Fiji Airports has reopened the skies with a new Thursday direct service from Nauru to Nausori International Airport, a reconnection deemed long overdue and deeply significant.
Fiji Airports chief executive officer Mesake Nawari said the new service restored a vital link, one that would support travel, trade, education, diplomacy, and people-to-people exchange.
He said it also moved the company a step closer to its goal to be the world-class aviation hub for the Blue Pacific.
“We’re confident this launch will encourage even more direct links across the region, because when Pacific nations are better connected, everyone benefits,” Mr Nawari said in his address at the launch held at the Nausori International Airport on Thursday night.
He said the launch was not just about convenience, but about connection, commitment and community.
Deputy PM and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka said through careful planning, engagement, and collaboration between aviation authorities, Government approved Nauru Airlines to operate directly into Nausori Airport.
Mr Gavoka said safety, efficiency and operational capacity were central to this decision, ensuring those flights served its purpose without compromise.
Nauru Airlines deputy chairman Geoff Bowmaker said following the inaugural service, Suva would be delivered more direct flights to a variety of Pacific destinations via Nauru Airlines North Pacific Connector services beyond Nauru, and include Tarawa, Majuro, Pohnpei and Palau.
“This will bring more immediate accessibility for both airline passengers and air freight into and out of Suva, enhancing both visitor and freight produce growth opportunities,” Mr Bowmaker said.
Effective August 28, Nauru Airlines flight ON019 will depart Nauru at 2045hrs and arrive in Suva at 0015hrs the next day; and a Friday return service flight ON020 from Suva to Nauru, departing at 0115hrs and arrive in Nauru at 0450hrs.
Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka and Nauru’s Minister for Transport Reagan Aliklik at the launch of Nauru Airline’s Nauru-Suva direct service at the Nausori International Airport on Thursday night. Picture: SUPPLIED/FIJI AIRPORTS