Upcoming Nauru Airport Runway Resurfacing Disrupts Flights

Flights to Nauru Airport (INU) between March 24 and May 31, 2025, will be disrupted as work finally gets underway to resurface the 2,150-metre runway and upgrade critical air traffic control equipment.

This week, Nauru's Directorate of Civil Aviation and Nauru Emergency Services are running a series of meetings on the island to inform stakeholders and the general public about expected disruptions.

A NOTAM advising of the work says there will be work on the runway, taxiway and apron. Except for emergencies, pilots are advised to provide 90 minutes' notice of any planned movement and exercise caution while on the ground.

Nauru Airlines, the only airline offering scheduled flights to Nauru, has revised its timetable between now and the end of May. The changes mean that the airline will largely avoid the airport during daylight hours when work will be most active. Other aircraft into the airport include freighters and charters, including charters shuttling immigration detainees to the Australian Government's immigration detention centre on the island.

The Australian Government is providing AUD40 million towards the upgrade through the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP). AUD30 million is in the form of an AIFFP grant, and the remaining AUD10 million is in the form of a bilateral grant.

"The project will ensure Nauruans can remain connected to supplies, services and family overseas for years to come, with the climate-resilient upgrades increasing the airport's service life, capacity and safety," says an Australian Government statement. "The airport upgrade is a major infrastructure priority for Nauru and its people and will ensure the airport continues to operate safely and meet international standards."

The upgrades also include measures to mitigate environmental and climate change effects, such as pavements with lower ongoing maintenance requirements and re-use of construction waste at the airport.

Downer Group has the contract to undertake the airport works. They are participating in the information meetings in Nauru this week. Upon completion, the airport's operational capacity will increase, and the service life of the runway will be extended by 25 to 30 years. The runway was last resurfaced in 1992, and if not redone, it risks falling into a state of disrepair. INU is the island's only airport.

Photo: Government of Nauru