Qantas extends Brisbane–Palau flights to 2026 amid surge in Australian visitors
Qantas has prolonged its direct flights from Brisbane to Koror, the capital of Palau, a Pacific island nation in Micronesia, for an additional year after the service, named the ‘Palau Paradise Express’, proved to be popular among Australian travelers.
In a statement, Pat Conroy, the Minister for Defense Industry and Pacific Island Affairs, said that the Brisbane–Koror service will be extended for another 12 months, until December 2026.
“With the Palau Paradise Express set to soar for another year, our relationship with Palau will continue to reach new heights as we deepen the economic and people to people links between our two countries,” Conroy said.
In a press release, Qantas said that the extension of the service is a response to “strong market demand and significant growth in Australian visitation” since Qantas began operating it in December 2024.
The airline noted that Palau has evolved from a little-known island nation into one of the most talked-about destinations among Australians in 2025.
March and April 2025 saw the highest year-on-year growth in Australian arrivals, with March alone increasing by 146%, indicating a growing interest in this remote part of Micronesia.
Qantas reported that in the first half of 2025, Palau saw a 113% increase in visitor arrivals compared to the same period in 2024. In the past nine months, more than 5,000 passengers have used this route, and in the coming year, thousands more are expected.
“It’s great to see the significant rise in visitor arrivals to Palau, with Aussie travelers being a driving force behind this remarkable result,” said Qantas CEO International Cam Wallace. “This strong demand reinforces our commitment to connecting Australians with unique destinations and supporting Palau’s growing tourism industry.”
The service will keep running every week, leaving Brisbane on Saturdays and reaching Koror in only six hours. The route will be operated by Boeing 737 aircraft.
This route received a one-year contract from the Australian Government, meaning it will continue operating with government support even if commercially unprofitable.
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Qantas has prolonged its direct flights from Brisbane to Koror, the capital of Palau, a Pacific island nation…
The post Qantas extends Brisbane–Palau flights to 2026 amid surge in Australian visitors appeared first on AeroTime.
