Air Nauru

    

    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.

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.

Never delivered #17

 

Fokker not only conducted demonstration flights and tours of its F-28 around the world, but also demonstrated its products to potential buyers at its facilities.

Thus, on October 13, 1971, PH-ZAV (cn. 11032) made a demonstration flight from Schiphol for the Israeli company Arkia Airlines.

FAP390

The countries of the so-called Andean region are characterized by vast territories divided by various mountain ranges running from north to south. At the same time, a series of valleys of varying altitudes are formed, which in some cases can only be traversed by air. To the east, the surface is covered with dense vegetation that also hinders communication. Since the early days of aviation, these areas have posed significant challenges, and various aircraft models that flew through the region have done so with varying degrees of success. Although Fokker did not flood the South American market, its different products stood out for over forty years. The modest Dutch company left an operational presence in the region that undoubtedly left a mark.

During March 1975, it became known that the presidency of Peru had started negotiations to acquire an aircraft for the Peruvian Executive Power. It was also rumored that the aircraft was already in the production line. In Argentina, the government had been using one for the Executive Power since 1970, while the presidency of Colombia had one since February 1971. By July 1975, various media outlets confirmed the imminent arrival of the aircraft in Peru. In October 1975, it was revealed that the aircraft would be identified as 390. On December 8, 1975, the aircraft was reported in Amsterdam with the dual registration PH-EXY/390. Since it was the 100th unit assembled by the Dutch manufacturer, the aircraft temporarily displayed the phrase "100th Fokker - VFW F-28 Fellowship". The aircraft had been ordered during the presidency of General Juan Velasco Alvarado, the same president who founded the airline AeroPerú in May 1973. However, the plane did not arrive until Francisco Morales Bermúdez succeeded him (1975–1980). Before the arrival of the Fellowship, Peruvian presidents traveled on Douglas DC-6 aircraft from the Peruvian Air Force, although on certain occasions, such as a visit to Buenos Aires in May 1965, the Convair 990s from Aerolíneas Peruanas SA were used.

On March 30, 1976, the Peruvian Air Force took possession of the Fokker F-28, which, as detailed, displayed the serial number 390. The next day, the aircraft flew in ferry between Amsterdam and Keflavik. From the factory, the aircraft sported a very sober livery, which it would maintain for years. Specifically: completely white, with a dark blue/black line running along the fuselage, accompanied by two fine stripes of the same color. On the front section, above the windows, small titles of the Peruvian Air Force were displayed. The aircraft’s serial number was placed on the tail, preceding the colors of the Peruvian flag. A small national insignia was positioned on the lower front, near the belly. President Francisco Morales Bermúdez used the aircraft on July 17, 1979, during a protocol visit to Buenos Aires, operating directly at Aeroparque Jorge Newbery. 

 

 

Over time, this aircraft was available to Presidents Fernando Belaúnde Terry (1980 - 1985), who visited Buenos Aires aboard this aircraft in December 1983 to attend the inauguration of President Raúl Alfonsín. Alan García (1985 - 1990) also arrived at Aeroparque Jorge Newbery on March 15, 1986. Finally, it was used by Alberto Fujimori. In 1995, Fujimori introduced a Boeing 737-528, relegating the Fellowship’s role. Nevertheless, the aircraft still had significant operational life. In June 1991, it was sent to the Netherlands for a major overhaul, and was reported at Rotterdam/The Hague Airport on June 16, 1991. From that point, it was given a new livery, similar to the modern scheme adopted for the new Boeing 737-528. Previously, on May 4, 1995, a report was issued -II-55-OPDP-Nº0359-, endorsed by Lieutenant General FAP Waldo Richter Cruz, Director of Operations of the Peruvian Air Force, which stated the need to refurbish the Fellowship, which at that time had already accumulated two decades of service to the presidency.

As in other countries of the region, during the visit of Pope John Paul II to Peru, this aircraft was at the service of the pontiff. Between February 1 and 5, 1985, the Pope visited several Peruvian cities, including Arequipa, Ayacucho, Trujillo, Piura, and Iquitos, and in some of these destinations, the Fellowship was used. In other cases, a Boeing 727 from AeroPerú was used. As was customary, a papal standard was applied behind the door of the aircraft used.

Since the presidency had two Douglas DC-8-62 aircraft since December 1981, in March 1993, the F-28 was temporarily leased to the American airline Americana de Aviación. In this case, it was given a civil registration, OB-1396, which would remain in place for the time being.