Nauru Airlines

Border restrictions, closures and halting of international travel are affecting the airline.

Nauru Airlines has scheduled fortnightly passenger flights to and from Brisbane and a few freighter flights each week that bring supplies for the island.

As Minister for Nauru Airlines, President Lionel Aingimea said, “This affects our airline drastically, in a financial sense,” adding that in 2021 the airline is looking at 80 per cent cells operations which means revenue for the airline will be down by millions.

Nauru President Lionel Aingimea confirmed a Nauru Airlines charter flight will be flying home students and other Nauruans.

According to Mr Aingimea there was support from several people including Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Dame Meg Taylor enabling Nauru Airlines to do the flight.

Nauruans students and families in Nadi, Lautoka and Sigatoka will be the first on the list.

Those in Suva will travel once a lockdown is lifted.

The students based in the West are now at Tanoa International Hotel in Nadi awaiting their flight.

The fortnightly Brisbane-Nauru-Brisbane services will commence Friday 20 March 2020.

RNZ Pacific all arrivals will be required to spend 14 days in transitional accommodation before being allowed into the community.

"Nauru is particularly vulnerable to the threat of the coronavirus. The global impact indicates that should this virus enter Nauru, the results could be devastating," the government said in a statement.

"Our first and foremost objective is to protect our people."

President Lionel Aingimea has declared a national emergency.

In response to the declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in relation to Coronavirus, the RMI has suspended all international air travel until 22 March 2020, effective immediately.

Nauru Airlines CEO Geoff Bowmaker said the airline was complying with the various health advisory requirements of each of the countries through which it flies to help keep residents and visitors safe from Coronavirus. 

The leisure fares were announced in parliament on 28 January by the airline’s Deputy Minister Asterio Appi to enable more Nauruans to enjoy holidays abroad.

Nauru’s airline was established on 17 September 1969 as Air Nauru and started operations on 14 February 1970.

It went through a series of rebranding including Our Airline in October 2006.

Today it flies as Nauru Airlines and operates five Boeing 737- 300 aircrafts.

New routes for Nauru Airlines will include Taiwan.

President Aingimea also announced changes to the colours and features of the national carrier where the blue waves will be replaced by black and red breasted frigate birds to reflect Nauru’s connection with the bird which is also featured on the national crest.

The changes are all part of the vision to diversify the economy, the President reaffirmed.
The frigate bird is a sacred bird and is held in high esteem in Nauru’s culture and tradition.

A statement said notably amongst these are the cessation of flights to Pohnpei and Honiara.

These destinations have been withdrawn due to very low passenger numbers flying to these destinations.

Ceasing the Honiara stops will re-create quicker and direct services between Nauru and Brisbane.

The twice-weekly flights connecting the Northern Pacific and Nauru to Fiji will continue with the added benefit of moving to better day, time and hours of travel with a spread across the week that will offer customers convenient options.

The carrier said the destinations have been withdrawn because of low passenger numbers, making the flights commercially non-viable.

It said ceasing the Honiara stop will create a quicker, direct service between Nauru and Brisbane.

The airline said it'll add flights from Nauru to Majuro, a destination that's been growing in popularity.

Chief executive Geoff Bowmaker said he was appointed in mid-August after Peter Sheehan had his contract terminated.

The board has been replaced and some senior managers have also been let go, Mr Bowmaker said.

In an email, the chief executive said the changes were part of a government review of Nauru Airlines' status.

Nauru's newly-elected President, Lionel Aingimea, has promised an administrative overhaul under his leadership.

Mr Jensen said Nauru Airlines would take part in the audit ahead of the airline applying to become a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

“Our next major safety and standards project will be an IATA-Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), which is regarded by the industry as the global benchmark for safety management.

“The IOSA is expected to proceed in October, as a precursor to Nauru Airlines applying to become a member of the IATA, which will be a major boost for our airline.