Nauru Airlines, formerly known as Air Nauru, is the national airline of the Republic of Nauru, an independent Pacific island nation located in Micronesia. Established in 1969, Nauru Airlines operates domestic and international charter services to Australia, Asia, and the South Pacific, primarily from its base in Nauru International Airport.
The airline's history began with the establishment of Air Nauru in 1968. It was founded under the auspices of the Nauruan government and was the first airline to be based in Nauru. The first flight, from Nauru to Brisbane, Australia, took place in January 1969. Initially, Air Nauru operated a single prop-driven Fokker F-27 Friendship aircraft.
In the 1970s, Air Nauru expanded its route network to include services to major cities in Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific islands. During this period, the airline also began using larger aircraft such as the Lockheed L-1011 TriStar, Boeing 727-200, and Boeing 707-320C. In 1978, Air Nauru became the first airline in the South Pacific to be certified by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
In the 1980s and 1990s, Air Nauru experienced significant changes. In 1988, the airline was rebranded as Nauru Airlines and its fleet was upgraded to include Boeing 737-300 and Boeing 737-400 aircraft. This allowed the airline to expand its international services to destinations in Asia and the Middle East. In 1991, the airline launched its first nonstop service between Nauru and Honolulu, Hawaii.
In 2002, Nauru Airlines experienced a major setback when one of its aircraft crashed in Papua New Guinea, killing all 11 passengers and crew on board. Following the crash, the airline suspended operations while the incident was investigated by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB). As a result of the investigation, Nauru Airlines was found to have been in violation of several safety regulations, and the airline was fined by the ATSB.
In the following years, Nauru Airlines worked to improve its safety standards and rebuild its reputation. In 2008, the airline became the first in the South Pacific to be certified to the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) standard. In 2012, the airline also launched its first international flight to Tokyo, Japan.
Today, Nauru Airlines operates a fleet of five aircraft, including two Boeing 737-300 jets, two Fokker F-100 regional airliners, and one Boeing 737-400. The airline also operates a number of domestic and international charter services to destinations in Australia, Asia, and the South Pacific. Nauru Airlines is committed to providing its customers with safe, reliable air travel and continues to strive for excellence in the aviation industry.
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