18 Nov 2002

Air Nauru confident of expansion in 2003 despite refinancing process

11:39 am on 18 November 2002

Despite persistent rumours of impending financial collapse. Air Nauru says the airline is gearing for an expansion of Pacific routes in early 2003.

Air Nauru's proposed Brisbane-Majuro service is on hold until after Christmas, but an airline executive is optimistic the service could be launched in the first three months of next year.

Air Nauru's regional manager based in Melbourne, John Goulding, says the airline is going through a refinancing process that is not expected to be completed until Christmas.

During the 1980's and early 1990's, Air Nauru regularly serviced Majuro, the capital of the Marshall Islands, but the service was cancelled when Air Nauru entrenched in the early 1990's with mounting losses.

Air Nauru currently connects its home country with Kiribati and Fiji