Nauru, Palau sign air services agreement
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Friday, 3 September, 2021
Nauru, Palau sign air services
agreement
The Presidents of Nauru and Palau
signed an air services agreement (ASA) that would see the start of
traveling between the two Micronesian countries and beyond, 2
September.
President Lionel Aingimea says the
signing of the agreement symbolises the profound relationship and
friendship between Nauru and Palau, "but also for the greater
Micronesian sub-region."
"Not only will the air services
agreement strengthen the connectivity between our two island
nations but provides an opportunity to augment economic benefits
for both the benefit of our mutual countries.
"Nauru is committed to enhancing
its role in the transportation sector sub-regionally, regionally
and internationally," President Aingimea said.
President of Palau, Surangel
Whipps, Jr, says his country looks forward to the day when air
services can be restored, recalling a medivac incident in 1987 when
then, Air Nauru, answered the call to operate the flight from Palau
to Manila.
"As small island states and large
ocean states, one of the things… we understand is, without these
connections to the outside world, we're really isolated, and a lot
of times we're at the mercy of airlines and companies that maybe
their interests may not be aligned with our interests," President
Whipps said.
He adds that establishing the ASA
is an opportunity to "work together as Pacific brothers" and to see
Nauru Airlines be a successful carrier and enhance services for the
people.
The two leaders recognise the
opportunities that each can offer in linking Asia, the west and the
south.
Meanwhile, Nauru is undertaking
domestic measures to improve national aviation and maritime
connectivity services.
Nauru port is being upgraded to
meet international standards while Nauru Airlines' recent purchase
of a Boeing 737-700 aircraft will accommodate longer flight times,
reaching further destinations.
Preparatory work is also underway
to resurface the airport runway that would strengthen aviation
safety and compliance and position Nauru for increased air
transportation activity into the future.
The agreement states that Nauru and
Palau are mindful of the close ties that bind the two countries,
and their desire to provide a framework for the conduct of air
services.
The two countries also recognise
the strategic role of international air transportation in the
sustainable development of island economies, and especially through
the promotion of trade, commerce and tourism.
The two countries are also
conscious of the need to improve the level, quality and efficiency
of air transport services within and beyond their respective
countries.
President Aingimea expressed
heartfelt thanks to President Whipps on behalf of the government
for the recent mercy flight carrying 34 Nauruan patients and
escorts to Taiwan from Nauru with a planned technical stop in Yap
State for refuelling.
A problem with refuelling meant the
flight crew and passengers needed to overnight, and Palau, being
better equipped with accommodation and aviation requirements,
cleared the plane and its COVID-vaccinated passengers to land and
spend the night, before their onward travel to Taiwan.