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United Airlines to Launch Direct Japan-Palau Flight

New Service to Enhance Tourism, Commerce

KOROR, PALAU — United Airlines will have direct flights between Palau and Narita, Japan beginning May 2025.

The flight is an initiative that President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr., together with Minister Charles Obichang, Minister Kaleb Udui and Minister Ngiraibelas Tmetuchl, of Ministry of Public Infrastructure and Industries, Ministry of Finance, and Ministry of Human Resources, Culture, Tourism and Development, respectively, have been working on for the last three years.

“We welcome United Airlines and this new route, which will re-establish the direct flight between Japan and Palau,” said President Whipps. The route used to be serviced by Delta Airlines until 2018.

“United has been a good partner, quickly returning when we reopened fully to travel following the COVID pandemic. We’re now at flights six days a week, which has helped with tourism and our overall economy,” President Whipps said.

Minister Tmetuchl said, “The dream of a regular direct flight from Japan has finally become a reality thanks to the persistence of President Whipps. This UA route will reconnect our traditional key market of Japan as well as all UA global reach, making travel more efficient and convenient.”

President Whipps and the Ministers have spoken and met with United and multiple other airlines and national leaders with the goal of increasing the number of flights coming to Palau from various cities and countries.

Japan officials have said a Japan Airlines charter flight will service the Narita, Japan to Palau route beginning in March 2025.

President Whipps’ larger effort to make Palau a gateway between Asia, Micronesia and the Pacific is part of a vision to enhance tourism, promote commerce and generally foster economic growth in Palau and the region.

- Office of the President, Republic of Palau
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