Alii Palau Airlines Temporarily Halts Operations Just 21 Days After Inaugural Flight

Alii Palau Airlines, based in Koror, has temporarily suspended its flights on the Koror-Singapore Changi route, just 21 days following the launch of the service. The airline began operations with much fanfare on November 23, 2023, using an Airbus A320-200N leased from Drukair (KB, Paro). However, the last flight on this sole direct city pair was operated on December 14, as confirmed by ADS-B tracking data.

The decision to pause the flights, as reported by the Island Times and attributed to the airline’s director Glenn Seid, is primarily due to low passenger demand, likely influenced by a recent surge in Covid-19 cases in Singapore. Seid expressed hope for the airline’s operations to resume in February.

Alii Palau Airlines initially aimed to increase the frequency of this route to twice-weekly before Christmas. However, the service was suspended after just four flights on November 23 and 30, and December 7 and 14. ch-aviation has reached out to both Alii Palau Airlines and Drukair for further comments on the suspension.

This cessation of service by Alii Palau Airlines is part of a broader trend affecting flights to Koror. Lanmei Airlines also temporarily halted its regular passenger charters from Macau International to Koror, and Cambodia Airways has been frequently canceling its scheduled charters on the same route. Meanwhile, other carriers like Air Niugini, Cambodia Angkor Air, China Airlines, Air Nauru, and United Airlines continue to operate scheduled passenger flights to the Pacific island country.

The temporary suspension of Alii Palau Airlines’ operations highlights the challenges faced by new airlines in establishing sustainable routes, particularly in the context of fluctuating travel demands influenced by global health concerns. The airline’s future plans and the potential resumption of its operations will be closely watched by industry observers and travelers alike.