During the launch on Tuesday of AliiHost, a customer service training program that Palau has recently signed up for, Toribiong shared that representatives of Delta Airlines are now preparing the terminal building to accommodate the services.
“They promise to bring in another 25,000 visitors to Palau every year via Delta Airlines,” Toribiong said. “We’re very, very pleased with that.”
Press Secretary Fermin Meriang confirmed that the inaugural flight will be coming in from Narita, Japan.
“That’s been in the work for a few months now,” Meriang said in a phone interview. “And last weekend, the talks with the Delta Airlines have been finalized. They are currently setting up office, hiring people for their local logistics support.”
Meriang added that the additional 25,000 visitors per year via delta will give Palau’s tourism a good boost.
At present, Japanese tourists fly via Guam to come to Palau. Japan Airlines started its charter operations, but Meriang said they have temporarily suspended their operations as they are undergoing some reorganization.
The Delta Airlines Narita-Palau flights will be operated with 216-seat Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft, boasting with 35 business elite and 181 economy seats.
Delta Airlines currently operates flights from Nagoya to Detroit, Guam, Saipan and Manila.
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