Qantas flights to Palau

[tcasfail]

Looks like QF has picked up the Australian government funding for flights to Palau for the next year.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Looks like QF has picked up the Australian government funding for flights to Palau for the next year.

Source?

Au Govt 06 May 2024 New flight route between Australia and Palau

Australia and Palau are partnering together to expand connectivity in the Pacific with a new non-stop flight service between Brisbane, Australia and Koror, Palau.

The Palau Paradise Express, operated by Nauru Airlines, will be a direct flight between Australia and Palau and will help create new opportunities for regional tourism and trade. <snip>

Edit

<snip>
The first Palau Paradise Express flight departs in May.

Nauru Airlines will operate the flight until 31 October 2024. Eligible Australian, Pacific, and Asian airlines will be invited to participate in a limited tender to operate the route through October 2025.
<snip>

Not much of a win!
Suspect heavily subsidised by AU tax payer

 

[justinbrett]

Source?

Au Govt 06 May 2024 New flight route between Australia and Palau

That was only a six month deal, with the new tender for a further 12 months.

So if this is correct QF will have it from Nov 24 until Oct 25.

 

[tcasfail]

Source?

Standing Offer Notice View - SON4095778: AusTender

AusTender provides centralised publication of Australian Government business opportunities, annual procurement plans and contracts awarded.

www.tenders.gov.au

 

[justinbrett]

Not much of a win!
Suspect heavily subsidised by AU tax payer

As the attachment states, it’s actually part of the foreign aid budget.

 

[Ansett Nostalgic]

Must be part of the efforts to increase Australian influence in the Pacific.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Must be part of the efforts to increase Australian influence in the Pacific.

Not before time I may add.

 

[Scr77]

Any thoughts on when flights will become bookable?

 

[tcasfail]

Announced by Qantas on facebook just now.

' A new route to commence between Brisbane and Palau in the Pacific in the coming months*'

Post automatically merged: Oct 16, 2024

Announced by Qantas on facebook just now.

' A new route to commence between Brisbane and Palau in the Pacific in the coming months*'

 

[Jenya]

A new route to commence between Brisbane and Palau in the Pacific in the coming months*'

that is wonderful news! No way I can afford Nauru Airlines paradise express for family of 4.
But with QF points its possible.
- flights are still 𝘚𝘶𝘣𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘢𝘭

it will add Palau to QF map for the first time, operating weekly flights from Brisbane to the Pacific Island with its 737 aircraft*.

The service, known as the ‘Palau Paradise Express’ will operate as part of a contract awarded to Qantas by the Federal Government and will help maintain strong trade and tourism links between Australia and Palau. Qantas customers will also have access to a new leisure destination on the airline’s network, with Palau renowned for its pristine waters, unique marine life and a haven for divers and hikers.

The route is expected to commence in the coming months and flights will go on sale in the next few weeks.

 

[justinbrett]

flights are still 𝘚𝘶𝘣𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘢𝘭

The government awarded the tender to QF so I’d say regulatory approval is a given.

 

[CaptJCool]

Didn’t know where it is located
I do now

 

[tcasfail]

that is wonderful news! No way I can afford Nauru Airlines paradise express for family of 4.
But with QF points its possible.
- flights are still 𝘚𝘶𝘣𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘢𝘭

it will add Palau to QF map for the first time, operating weekly flights from Brisbane to the Pacific Island with its 737 aircraft*.

The service, known as the ‘Palau Paradise Express’ will operate as part of a contract awarded to Qantas by the Federal Government and will help maintain strong trade and tourism links between Australia and Palau. Qantas customers will also have access to a new leisure destination on the airline’s network, with Palau renowned for its pristine waters, unique marine life and a haven for divers and hikers.

The route is expected to commence in the coming months and flights will go on sale in the next few weeks.

One thing to watch for is the ‘Pristine Palau Tax’ $100 USD per person. But QF operating it will hopefully get some more people up there.

 

[Lynda2475]

Have always wanted to snorkel in Jellyfish lake. I will be watching award seats.

 

[Jenya]

Jellyfish lake

some tourist forums speculated that all jellyfish sadly gone, presumably because of sunscreen snorkelers used

 

[oz_mark]

Government press release: Qantas to operate Palau Paradise Express

 

[Tiki]

Nice to see another Pacific route to use points on. I wish they would fly to Munda or Gizo, Solomon Islands. Domestic flights from HIR are expensive and no way to use points.

 

[Jacques Vert]

I will be watching award seats.

You won't be the only one.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Government press release: Qantas to operate Palau Paradise Express

And now of the QF News Room:

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-international-network-to-grow-with-220000-more-seats-new-aircraft-and-new-route/

 

[Mark3000]

I've been searching every day to see when these go on sale and what the flight timings will be like. Still not out yet.... very exciting though