Nauru Airlines Boeing 737-300 at Nadi International Airport Photo: RNZI/ Sally Round
In its efforts to bring more airline options to Guam to "open up opportunities", government officials from the US territory and Nauru are in discussions for a potential air service agreement.
Nauru Airlines currently flies routes from Nauru to Brisbane, Australia, Palau, Pohnpei, the Marshall Islands, Kiribati and Fiji.
In June, during the 26th Micronesian Islands Forum (MIF) hosted by Guam, member nations passed a resolution agreeing to present a unified voice to the US federal government to request their assistance to increase competition from airlines in this region of the Pacific.
In a statement, the Office of the Governor of Guam said the discussions involved potentially expanding routes to include Guam and the possibility of direct flights from Guam to Brisbane.
It said Guam's strong position as a Micronesian hub means that increasing airline services could create a ripple effect, boosting connectivity and economic opportunities throughout the region as a whole.
Governor Leon Guerrero said Nauru Airlines flew to Guam in the 1990s and early 2000s.
"Keeping to our established goals at the MIF of increasing air transportation service to Guam and the Micronesian Region, we are excited to continue discussions with Nauru Airlines in their pursuit of growing their offerings in our region," she said.
"Expanding air service options is a benefit to our people and can open up opportunities to diversify our tourism base which can lead to increased economic growth, resiliency, and competition."
Government officials from Guam and Nauru have held discussions for a potential air service agreement. Photo: Government of Guam
Guerrero held talks with the Nauru Air Corporation's deputy minister Maverick Eoe and other Nauruan officials during the 26th MIF and had invited them to return to Guam to further dialogue.
Guam's Lt. Governor Joshua Tenorio said it was "early stages" but "these are very important steps to see the viability of another airline like Nauru Airlines flying into Guam."
"A route linking Australia to Guam would help bolster our tourism industry and add another tourism market to our current visitor profile.
"Because of this great potential, not only did we have the Guam Airport officials with us, we have also asked the Guam Visitors Bureau to meet with these officials while they are still on Guam," he added.