The national airline of the island of Nauru, initially known as Air Nauru, began its commercial operations in the early 1970s when it acquired a Dassault Falcon 20, used for flights between Nauru and Brisbane. However, the real leap in operational capacity and connection to the outside world came with the arrival of its first own aircraft, a Fokker F-28, in 1972. This Dutch-manufactured aircraft became a cornerstone of Air Nauru's fleet, particularly designed for short- and medium-haul flights. The Fokker F-28 was known for its reliability and its ability to operate from airports with limited infrastructure, making it ideal for the island’s operations. During the five years it was in service, the F-28 facilitated connections between Nauru and key destinations in the Pacific, including Brisbane, Honiara, and other nearby islands.
Throughout its time in service, the Fokker F-28 played a crucial role in the airline's growth, helping to establish a network of regular flights that connected Nauru to major hubs in the region. The versatility of this model allowed Air Nauru to maintain an efficient operation, despite the island's geographic limitations.
Regular services started when the company took delivery of its first Fokker F 28-1000 on January 18 1972 and a second F28 "Chief Nobor" was delivered on June 18, 1974. The company wiill dispose of its F28 in 1977 when the 2 frames will be sold to Air Niugini.
The F-28 was replaced by other aircraft. However, its legacy endured as one of the first commercial planes that truly marked the beginning of the airline’s modernization and the expansion of its international routes.
In 1973 Air Nauru was flying from Nauru to Tarawa Island, Majuro Atoll, Pohnpei, Agana, Okinawa, Kagoshima, Honiara, Nouméa, Brisbane & Melbourne.
Following the retirement of the Fokker F-28, the airline continued its operations with other aircraft, adapting to the needs of a growing fleet and the challenges of regional air travel. Today, the company is known as Nauru Airlines, but the Fokker F-28 is still remembered as a vital tool in the company's consolidation, a starting point that allowed the airline to take a leap toward the future of aviation in the Pacific.
Throughout its time in service, the Fokker F-28 played a crucial role in the airline's growth, helping to establish a network of regular flights that connected Nauru to major hubs in the region. The versatility of this model allowed Air Nauru to maintain an efficient operation, despite the island's geographic limitations.
Regular services started when the company took delivery of its first Fokker F 28-1000 on January 18 1972 and a second F28 "Chief Nobor" was delivered on June 18, 1974. The company wiill dispose of its F28 in 1977 when the 2 frames will be sold to Air Niugini.
The F-28 was replaced by other aircraft. However, its legacy endured as one of the first commercial planes that truly marked the beginning of the airline’s modernization and the expansion of its international routes.
In 1973 Air Nauru was flying from Nauru to Tarawa Island, Majuro Atoll, Pohnpei, Agana, Okinawa, Kagoshima, Honiara, Nouméa, Brisbane & Melbourne.
Following the retirement of the Fokker F-28, the airline continued its operations with other aircraft, adapting to the needs of a growing fleet and the challenges of regional air travel. Today, the company is known as Nauru Airlines, but the Fokker F-28 is still remembered as a vital tool in the company's consolidation, a starting point that allowed the airline to take a leap toward the future of aviation in the Pacific.
Sources: own and Nauru Airlines Facebook Group
Fleet List* 11041 Mk.1000 C2-RN1 dlv. 18Jan72."Nauru Chief" rmt. Air Niugini 1977.* 11056 Mk.1000 C2-RN2 dlv. 18Jun74 "Chief Nobor" rmt. Air Niugini 1977.
No comments:
Post a Comment