Nauru Airlines debuts in Asia with Palau-Clark flights
The Clark International Airport has welcomed a new carrier with the entry of Nauru Airlines into the local market last Sept. 5
The Palau-Clark route not only not only boosted the Nauru Airlines’ network, but also provided additional connectivity for our overseas Filipino workers.
Luzon International Premiere Airport Development Corp., the operator of the air hub, said the carrier has committed to mount a weekly flight from Koror in Palau to the Clark airport.
Robert Eoe, chief executive officer of Nauru Airlines, said the move to expand to the Philippines was “a key development for us.”
The new route opens to passengers in the North Pacific region a new destination in Asia, he said.
“Clark International Airport is a strategically important gateway and a natural fit for our expansion into Asia. We look forward to unlocking new revenue opportunities and offering even greater passenger, ACMI, and cargo opportunities to our customers,” he said.
In the first six months of 2025, passenger volume at the regional airport already hit 1.7 million, with domestic accounting for 52 percent.
However, Noel Manankil, president and chief executive officer of Lipad, said the group had lowered its passenger growth forecast for the year. This was due to the transfer of turboprop operations from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) having been delayed to March 2026.
Now, the company expects to have accommodated 3 million passengers by yearend. The initial projection was 3.3 million to 3.4 million.
Another reason that affected the forecast was the suspension of Jetstar Asia’s flight services between Clark and Singapore.
But the official remains bullish that the Clark airport will welcome more passengers come 2026, with about 3.4 million travelers. By 2027, they hope to bounce back to the prepandemic level of 4 million passengers.
The airport accommodates more than 200 flights per week.
