Nauru Airlines Inks Collaboration MOU With Air Marshall Islands

Air Marshall Islands and Nauru Airlines have signed a memorandum of understanding aiming to strengthen ties between the carriers, bolster regional aviation resilience, improve connectivity and service quality, and improve sharing of technical and professional capacities.

The agreement was signed on July 2, 2025, by Nauru Airlines Chairman Charleston Deiye and Air Marshall Islands Chairman Bobby Muller during the 27th Micronesian Island Forum taking place at Majuro, capital of the Marshall Islands.

Majuro-based Air Marshall Islands is a commercially operated airline owned by the Marshall Islands Government. The airline operates the two Dornier 228-212 aircraft and two DHC-8- 100s. It has ordered three 19-seater Cessna Sky Courier 408s with the first aircraft scheduled for delivery in December 2025, the second in first quarter 2026 and the third to arrive in 2027.

Nauru Airlines is the national carrier of Nauru. The airline operates a fleet of seven Boeing 737 aircraft, including four dedicated to freight operations, three operating as passenger aircraft.

In recognition of the unique operating requirements faced by Pacific Island carriers, the two airlines will work to address distinct regional aviation challenges including infrastructure constraints, skilled workforce supply and the streamlining of network and flight operations to improve regional connectivity.

Plans ahead include a wide range of initiatives including:

- Joint pilot cadetship program - incorporating training, structured mentorship, and professional development to produce a pilot workforce trained to operate in complex and remote Pacific environments.

- Joint marketing and promotion – the airlines will progressively implement inter-airline arrangements to enable Nauru Airlines Corporation to market, promote and sell Air Marshall Islands outer island services to destinations including Jaluit (UIT), Wotje (WTE), Kwajalein (KWA), Woja (WJA), Namdrik (NDK), Kili (KIO), Airok (AIC), Utrok (UTK), Likiep (LIK), Enewetak (ENT), Rongelap (RNP), and Bikini Atolls (BII).

- Schedule harmonisation – the airlines will pursue schedule harmonisation and network optimisation to facilitate convenient same-day connectivity between both carrier’s services.

- General sales agent representation - the airlines will each represent the other as the respective general sales agent for the sale of passenger air tickets within their home countries.

Air Marshall Islands and Nauru Airlines will also coordinate on charter and ad hoc services, including capacity allocation and operational planning to meet regional demand.

The airlines will also explore opportunities for to collaborate on operational control centre assistance, including situational monitoring, communication support, and continuity planning.

The airlines have also signalled their intention to identify further opportunities for mutual skills development and institutional strengthening through technical cooperation and training initiatives.