Nauru Airlines

The new generation Boeing 737-700, piloted by Captain Vodrick Detsiogo, Captain Kristian Keke and Captain Dylan Rimmer, was greeted by a wave of spectators lining the length of the runway on either side.

Approaching from the west VH-INU descended to 1,500 feet for a fly-over of the runway before turning left heading northward for a full circle around the island and returning to the airport.

This time the captains conducted a 100 feet fly-by approach along the length of the runway before climbing back up to return for the final descent and landing from the west.

The new aircraft which was unveiled in March is coated with new livery that will symbolise a sense of pride and ownership for the corporation and our nation.

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic interrupting and grounding NAC and other international air services, the corporation will continue to expand and upgrade its provision especially its air fleet to meet international air service standards.

“The new design of our first new generation aircraft reveals an innovating, fresh, and minimalistic look is reflective of our nation’s flag,” the President said.

“The ‘waves of friendship' design, which has been a feature of the airline’s design since 2006, has been refreshed with navy-blue waves along the fuselage symbolising the Pacific Ocean and the role Nauru Airlines has connecting small island states to Australasia.

The passengers travelled on a Nauru Airlines aircraft.

Nauru Police confirmed that their officers escorted the passengers to their designated quarantine residence at the Budapest Hotel in Anabar, where they will stay for the next five days. 

Police Protective Services Officers working under the National Police Force, will guard the area and maintain Covid-19 protocols for the safety of all, both in and outside the facility.

The public is reminded that visiting is prohibited under the regulations.

The company said it has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the plane.

Chief executive Geoffrey Bowmaker said the airline operates five Boeing 737-300s, three of which are passenger aircraft and two are dedicated freighters.

He told Smart Aviation APAC the airline has issued a RFP to buy either the Boeing 737-700s or Boeing 737-800s.

The aircraft arrived from the USA.

It will depart again for Brisbane to undergo maintenance and to be re-registered as VH-INU according to Nauru Media News- NTV.

Most of the airlines pilots have been trained to operate this aircraft except for maybe one or two.

The two pilots bringing the aircraft are contracted delivery pilots who have FAA license.

The aircraft will operate once CASA registration is granted which is estimated to be between 3 to 4 months.

The airline said their team is very excited at the arrival of their new fleet member.

The aircraft experienced a compressor stall in one engine while descending to land at Brisbane International Airport, last Friday.

Nauru Airlines CEO, Geoff Bowmaker said the aircraft landed safely and taxied to the gate without incident, where its 48 passengers disembarked.

“The pilots followed normal practice, which was to land under power and standard operating procedures.”

The airline will use Ink Health APIS to securely validate and share the Covid-19 test status of passengers and crew prior to travel. Test results will be uploaded by authorised clinics and laboratories directly into the system.

Nauru Airlines selected the Ink solution for its unique ability to verify passengers’ Covid-19 health status from paper-based test result certificates and multiple digital health wallets, as their adoption increases.

With borders closing and passenger numbers down due to the ongoing covid-19 pandemic, the airline has had to convert it B737-300 passenger aircraft into a freighter.

According to a Nauru Media News – NTV report the change enables the airline to meet the demands of online shopping, freight cargo and transporting of humanitarian goods such as food and medicines to Nauru and in the region

Last week on Thursday, Nauru Airlines aircraft VH-ONU arrived in Nauru on its maiden operational flight

The schedule for redelivery is May 2021.

With reduced passengers due to the global coronavirus pandemic, the airline has had to adapt to the changes and the increased demand for freight both into Nauru and the Pacific islands as well as Australia.

According to the Nauru Bulletin, reduced passenger flights meant extra cargo was not being transported either including essentials like fresh food, mail, medicine and other necessities.

The airline has transformed one of its passenger planes to meet the demand and facilitate freight transport within the region.