Nauru Airlines officials jet to China for talks
By Andrew Curran.
A Naoero Government minister has led a delegation of Nauru Airlines officials, including CEO Wendy Bacon, to China in a bid to unlock “new Pacific aviation opportunities”.
Minister for the Nauru Air Corporation Asterio Appi headed the delegation, which held a series of meetings over a week at the end of June. Details of the visit were published in this week's Naoero Bulletin.
“This visit has been an exceptional week of focused research and relationship-building,” said Appi. “China presents, for Nauru Airlines, very real pathways for us to elevate our services, our network and our presence in the Pacific. We came with purpose, and we leave with a clear roadmap.”
The delegation was reportedly keen to identify partnership and investment opportunities that would strengthen the airline's network and operational capabilities.
Nauru Airlines flies to seven airports across the Southwest Pacific from its Nauru (INU) hub, including Brisbane (BNE), Suva (SUV), Nadi (NAN), Majuro (MAJ), Tarawa (TRW) and Kiritimati (CXI).
The long-established state-owned carrier has built something of a niche in the region, operating scheduled services to remote island communities while maintaining a strong passenger and cargo charter business.
Nauru Airlines operates seven Boeing aircraft, including two B737-300Fs, two passenger-configured B737-300s, one B737-700 and one B737-800. An eighth aircraft, a B737-800F, is currently leased to India's Afcom Cargo.
Tougher market conditions for Nauru Airlines
However, in recent years, the charter market has become increasingly competitive as other ACMI operators, including Skytrans, Texel Air Australasia and ASL Airlines Australia, have introduced jet aircraft into the region.
The six-year lease with Afcom removes one aircraft from Nauru Airlines' fleet. But competition in the charter market continues to intensify.
Meanwhile, an arrangement with Air Kiribati to operate wet-leased scheduled passenger services between Tarawa and Kiritimati may also come to an end after Air Kiribati recently took delivery of a new E190-E2.
In addition, Nauru Airlines recently suspended flights to Pohnpei (PNI) and Koror (KOR). Both airports formed part of the airline's Pacific Connector service, which was supported by the Australian Government.
However, Appi said the Naoero Government remains committed to strengthening the country's role in connecting the Southwest Pacific. He said the visit to China had produced a roadmap for the airline.
“The delegation's findings represent a forward-looking framework designed to position the airline as a stronger carrier serving the Pacific community,” the Naoero Bulletin states.
Appi said the airline's management would now undertake a business case analysis, including developing implementation plans for the priority areas identified during the China visit.
He did not provide details of what those priority areas were.
Nauru Airlines officials at the June 2026 meeting with Chinese officials. Photo: Naoero Government.
Chinese aviation diplomacy at work
China has increasingly used aviation as a tool to expand its influence across the Southwest Pacific. It has been involved in airport infrastructure projects in countries including Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.
China has also explored extending one of its state-owned carriers' services to Vanuatu from existing scheduled flights to Port Moresby (POM).
It has also supported local airlines in launching services to China, most notably Aero Dili.
China's engagement with Nauru Airlines continues its broader soft diplomacy efforts in the region.
Chinese aviation diplomacy at work
China has increasingly used aviation as a tool to expand its influence across the Southwest Pacific. It has been involved in airport infrastructure projects in countries including Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.
China has also explored extending one of its state-owned carriers' services to Vanuatu from existing scheduled flights to Port Moresby (POM).
It has also supported local airlines in launching services to China, most notably Aero Dili.
China's engagement with Nauru Airlines continues its broader soft diplomacy efforts in the region.
Photo: Nauru Airlines.
Contact the writer: andrew@aerosouthpacific.com