Nauru Airlines offers new direct flights from Brisbane to Palau on ‘Paradise Express’

Nauru Airlines offers new direct flights from Brisbane to Palau on ‘Paradise Express’
By Grant Jones


Nauru Airlines is offering new direct six-hour flights from Brisbane to Palau on the ‘Palau Paradise Express’ to the 300-island archipelago, with launch fares from $999 return.

Nauru Airlines will commence direct flights between Brisbane and Palau from 21 May 2024, opening the new non-stop air route to this archipelago nation of more than 300 islands, with a total land area of 458 square kilometres, in the western Pacific Ocean.

The flight, operated by Nauru Airlines’ 737-700 and 737-800 aircraft, will depart Brisbane on Tuesdays at 11.30pm, and arrive at Palau International Airport on the main island of Babeldaob at 04:30am. Southbound flights will depart Palau on Wednesdays at 10:30pm, arriving in Brisbane at 05:30am.

“We are extremely excited to introduce an air route directly linking Palau and Australia, opening new opportunities for tourism, cargo and commerce,” said Brett Gebers, CEO of Nauru Airlines.

“Our Palau Paradise Express service now offers travellers from Australia and the region a more efficient way to reach Palau with streamlined connections from most major capitals,” he said.

The Republic of Palau, 1,500 kilometres east of the Philippines. The country’s resident population of 18,000 or so live on nine of the islands. The capital of Palau is Melekeok, located on Babeldaob, the largest island.

Nauru Airlines landing in Palau

Nauru Airlines landing in Palau.

Pristine paradise of Palau

Due to Palau’s longstanding commitment to marine biodiversity and conservation, the country attracts visitors from around the world who seek to explore its pristine waters, and to experience its unparalleled marine life. To date most visitors come from the northern hemisphere including USA/Canada, Europe, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and China.

Strengthening the tourism sector in Palau will support economic growth while maintaining the pristine marine and land environments and ecosystems.

“Naming our service the Palau Paradise Express really says it all,” said Nauru Airlines commercial manager James Blake. “Palau is a spectacular destination for divers, hikers, birdwatchers, nature lovers, those who love fishing or who simply want to disconnect and visit a place few have been.

“The incredible geography and environment offer unique eco-tourism experiences, some of the best scuba diving waters in the world, significant World War II history, and fascinating cultural and culinary delights,” he said.

“Direct air access to Palau from Australia opens so many opportunities to develop sustainable tourism and we are thrilled to play a supporting role in helping that effort,” he added.

A view of the beautiful islands of Palau.

The beautiful islands of Palau.

Variety of accommodation, from budget to luxe

Accommodation in Palau ranges from budget and motels to well-equipped four-star resorts, to live-aboard diving vessels, luxury yachts and five-star international standard luxury resorts.

In November 2023, Nauru Airlines also added Palau to its weekly ‘Australia-North Pacific Connector’ (island hopper) service which operates from Brisbane via Nauru, Tarawa, Majuro and Pohnpei to Palau, providing an
essential air link connecting northern and central Pacific countries to key destinations in Asia, Australia, and Fiji.

The additional service will provide greater connectivity options for visitors to the Pacific through Asia, Australia and Fiji. The expansion of Nauru Airlines’ services to Palau is part of the airline’s commitment to provide essential air links to the Pacific region to support the sustainable development of island economies, through the promotion of tourism, trade and commerce.

The new Palau Paradise Express and the ‘Australia-North Pacific Connector’ (island hopper) are enabled by the Australia-Pacific Partnerships for Aviation Program (P4A). P4A is an Australian Government initiative, partnering in the Pacific for a safer, more resilient and sustainable aviation sector, improving people to people links and supporting economic growth.

Palau is an archipelago of 300 or so islands.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

Nauru Airlines

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