Air Kiribati
Encyclopedia
Air Kiribati Limited is the national airline
of Kiribati
operating passenger services within the Gilbert Islands
of Kiribati, and to Fiji
. It also operates charters, medical evacuation and search and rescue services. Its main base is Bonriki International Airport
, Tarawa Atoll
.
Until 2008, it was the only airline to operate Kiribati domestic routes. In January, 2009, a new airline was established, Coral Sun Airways
, that also flies to all of the Gilbert Islands.
, which had been formed on 31 October 1977. In March 2004, Air Kiribati ended its international operations. It is owned 100% by the government of Kiribati.
. The Line Islands
and Phoenix Islands
are too far for direct flights. Until 2004, Aloha Airlines
connected Honolulu to Kiritimati
on behalf of Air Kiribati, but Aloha went out of business, so the route ceased. Since 4 October 2005, a new service was operated by Fiji
an Air Pacific
, every Tuesday, from Honolulu, with 24 places chartered on each flight by Air Kiribati, but this service was suspended as well, in 2008, due to the deteriorated surface of the Kiritimati runway. Thus, Kiritimati remains unserved today, but Air Kiribati's only rival airline, domestic Coral Sun Airways
, is examining the purchase of a new aircraft capable of flying to the remote Phoenix and Line Islands, having 41 and 8,809 inhabitants, respectively, but all unserved by scheduled passenger airlines. However, an American
company called Te Mauri Travel offers charter flights between Honolulu and Kiritimati.
Starting from November 2009, an Air Kiribati service between Tarawa and Fiji
's main gateway
at Nadi
is operated as well, using an aircraft and crew of Our Airline.
Flight diversions can also be arranged when required. Medevac and SAR are always considered priority.
Air Kiribati's 17 destinations are the following:
In December 2007, the Kiribati Government
approved a request by Air Kiribati to purchase two Canadian
made Twin Otter
aircraft. Each plane is reported to cost USD
3.3 million, but Air Kiribati's CEO Baraniko Baaro reports the purchase is a wise move which will save money currently used for the frequent repairs the aging air fleet requires. In addition, the new planes boast higher fuel efficiency, have room for more passengers and cargo and require less runway length than the current fleet, which may be of benefit on the airstrips of Kiribati's outer islands.
For one year, it also included 1 ATR 72-500. Its huge costs eventually led to a change in the President of Kiribati
.
Airline
An airline provides air transport services for traveling passengers and freight. Airlines lease or own their aircraft with which to supply these services and may form partnerships or alliances with other airlines for mutual benefit...
of Kiribati
Kiribati
Kiribati , officially the Republic of Kiribati, is an island nation located in the central tropical Pacific Ocean. The permanent population exceeds just over 100,000 , and is composed of 32 atolls and one raised coral island, dispersed over 3.5 million square kilometres, straddling the...
operating passenger services within the Gilbert Islands
Gilbert Islands
The Gilbert Islands are a chain of sixteen atolls and coral islands in the Pacific Ocean. They are the main part of Republic of Kiribati and include Tarawa, the site of the country's capital and residence of almost half of the population.-Geography:The atolls and islands of the Gilbert Islands...
of Kiribati, and to Fiji
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
. It also operates charters, medical evacuation and search and rescue services. Its main base is Bonriki International Airport
Bonriki International Airport
-See also:* USAAF in the Central Pacific...
, Tarawa Atoll
Tarawa Atoll
Tarawa is an atoll in the central Pacific Ocean, previously the capital of the former British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands. It is the location of the capital of the Republic of Kiribati, South Tarawa...
.
Until 2008, it was the only airline to operate Kiribati domestic routes. In January, 2009, a new airline was established, Coral Sun Airways
Coral Sun Airways
Coral Sun Airways is one, and the younger, of the two Kiribati airlines , established in January 2009. The airline operates domestic service to all 17 airports in the Gilbert Islands using two Britten-Norman Islander planes. It is considering the purchase of one new, larger aircraft, capable of...
, that also flies to all of the Gilbert Islands.
History
The airline was established and started operations on 1 April 1995, after the collapse of the previous national airline Air TungaruAir Tungaru
Air Tungaru was the first airline of Kiribati. As the predecessor of current Air Kiribati, it was Kiribati's national flag carrier. Air Tungaru's main base was the international airport at Kiribati's capital, South Tarawa...
, which had been formed on 31 October 1977. In March 2004, Air Kiribati ended its international operations. It is owned 100% by the government of Kiribati.
Destinations
Air Kiribati operates domestic flights linking all Gilbert IslandsGilbert Islands
The Gilbert Islands are a chain of sixteen atolls and coral islands in the Pacific Ocean. They are the main part of Republic of Kiribati and include Tarawa, the site of the country's capital and residence of almost half of the population.-Geography:The atolls and islands of the Gilbert Islands...
. The Line Islands
Line Islands
The Line Islands, Teraina Islands or Equatorial Islands, is a chain of eleven atolls and low coral islands in the central Pacific Ocean, south of the Hawaiian Islands, that stretches for 2,350 km in a northwest-southeast direction, making it one of the longest islands chains of the world...
and Phoenix Islands
Phoenix Islands
The Phoenix Islands are a group of eight atolls and two submerged coral reefs, lying in the central Pacific Ocean east of the Gilbert Islands and west of the Line Islands. They are a part of the Republic of Kiribati. During the late 1930s they became the site of the last attempted colonial...
are too far for direct flights. Until 2004, Aloha Airlines
Aloha Airlines
Aloha Airlines was an American airline headquartered in Honolulu CDP, City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii, operating from a hub at Honolulu International Airport...
connected Honolulu to Kiritimati
Kiritimati
Kiritimati or Christmas Island is a Pacific Ocean raised coral atoll in the northern Line Islands, and part of the Republic of Kiribati....
on behalf of Air Kiribati, but Aloha went out of business, so the route ceased. Since 4 October 2005, a new service was operated by Fiji
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
an Air Pacific
Air Pacific
Air Pacific Limited, Fiji's international airline, operates international and domestic services around the Pacific and to North America and Hong Kong. It is also a partner with the frequent flyer programmes of Qantas, American Airlines, and Alaska Airlines...
, every Tuesday, from Honolulu, with 24 places chartered on each flight by Air Kiribati, but this service was suspended as well, in 2008, due to the deteriorated surface of the Kiritimati runway. Thus, Kiritimati remains unserved today, but Air Kiribati's only rival airline, domestic Coral Sun Airways
Coral Sun Airways
Coral Sun Airways is one, and the younger, of the two Kiribati airlines , established in January 2009. The airline operates domestic service to all 17 airports in the Gilbert Islands using two Britten-Norman Islander planes. It is considering the purchase of one new, larger aircraft, capable of...
, is examining the purchase of a new aircraft capable of flying to the remote Phoenix and Line Islands, having 41 and 8,809 inhabitants, respectively, but all unserved by scheduled passenger airlines. However, an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
company called Te Mauri Travel offers charter flights between Honolulu and Kiritimati.
Starting from November 2009, an Air Kiribati service between Tarawa and Fiji
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
's main gateway
Nadi International Airport
Nadi International Airport is the main international gateway for the islands of Fiji. It serves about 1.2 million people per year, and is the main hub of Air Pacific. The airport is 10km from the city of Nadi. In 2009 it handled 1,220,000 passengers on international and domestic...
at Nadi
Nadi
Nadi is the third-largest conurbation in Fiji. It is located on the western side of the main island of Viti Levu, and had a population of 42,284 at the most recent census, in 2007. Nadi is multiracial with many of its inhabitants Indian or Fijian, along with a large transient population of foreign...
is operated as well, using an aircraft and crew of Our Airline.
Flight diversions can also be arranged when required. Medevac and SAR are always considered priority.
Air Kiribati's 17 destinations are the following:
- FijiFijiFiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
- NadiNadiNadi is the third-largest conurbation in Fiji. It is located on the western side of the main island of Viti Levu, and had a population of 42,284 at the most recent census, in 2007. Nadi is multiracial with many of its inhabitants Indian or Fijian, along with a large transient population of foreign...
- Nadi International AirportNadi International AirportNadi International Airport is the main international gateway for the islands of Fiji. It serves about 1.2 million people per year, and is the main hub of Air Pacific. The airport is 10km from the city of Nadi. In 2009 it handled 1,220,000 passengers on international and domestic...
- Nadi
- KiribatiKiribatiKiribati , officially the Republic of Kiribati, is an island nation located in the central tropical Pacific Ocean. The permanent population exceeds just over 100,000 , and is composed of 32 atolls and one raised coral island, dispersed over 3.5 million square kilometres, straddling the...
- AbaiangAbaiangAbaiang, also spelled Apaiang, sometimes called Apiaia, and formerly named Charlotte Island, Matthews or Six Isles, is a coral atoll of Kiribati, located in the west-central Pacific Ocean.-Geography:...
- Abaiang Atoll AirportAbaiang Atoll AirportAbaiang Atoll Airport , often abbreviated Abaiang Airport, is the airport serving Abaiang, Kiribati. It is located on Abaiang Island, between the villages of Tabwiroa and Tuarabu .... - AbemamaAbemamaAbemama is an atoll in the central part of the Kiribati Group located 152 kilometres southeast of Tarawa and just north of the Equator.- Geography :...
- Abemama Atoll AirportAbemama Atoll AirportAbemama Atoll Airport , often abbreviated Abemama Airport, is the airport serving Abemama, Kiribati. It is located on the north of the atoll, 200 meters northeast of the village of Tabiang.... - AranukaAranukaAranuka is an atoll of Kiribati, located just north of the equator, in the Gilbert Islands...
- Aranuka AirportAranuka AirportAranuka Airport is an airport, located approximately one kilometre north of the centre of Buariki on the island of Buariki, Aranuka, Kiribati.... - AroraeAroraeArorae is an atoll in Kiribati located near the equator.- Geography :The atoll's area is 9,5 km² and has a population of about 1,225 inhabitants most of which are Protestants. The largest villages on the atoll are Roreti, Tamaroa and Taribo.The atoll is a low and flat coralline island with an...
- Arorae Island AirportArorae Island AirportArorae Island Airport is the airport serving Arorae, Kiribati. It is located in the north of the island, north of the village of Tamaroa.The airport is served by Air Kiribati from Tabiteuea North, which is connected directly with the international airport at South Tarawa, but lands at Tamana too... - BeruBeru IslandBeru Island is an island located in the Kingsmill Group of the South Gilbert Islands in the Pacific Ocean and is part of the Republic of Kiribati. Beru was previously known as Eliza, Francis Island, Maria, Peroat, Peru Island or Sunday.- Geography :...
- Beru Island AirportBeru Island AirportBeru Island Airport is the airport serving Beru Island. The island is located in the Kingsmill Group of the South Gilbert Islands in the Pacific Ocean and is part of the Republic of Kiribati.... - ButaritariButaritariButaritari is an atoll located in the Pacific Ocean island nation of Kiribati.-Geography:...
- Butaritari Atoll AirportButaritari Atoll Airport-See also:* USAAF in the Central Pacific-References:* Maurer, Maurer . Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-89201-092-4.... - Kuria - Kuria Airport
- MaianaMaianaMaiana is a district of Kiribati and an atoll in the North Gilbert Islands. The north and eastern sides of the atoll are a single island whilst the western edge consists of submerged reefs, all surrounding a lagoon...
- Maiana Airport - Makin - Makin Airport
- MarakeiMarakeiMarakei is a small atoll in the North Gilbert Islands. The central lagoon consists of numerous deep basins and surrounded by two large islands which are separated by two narrow channels. The atoll covers an area of 13.5 km².- Geography :...
- Marakei AirportMarakei AirportMarakei Airport is the airport serving Marakei, Kiribati. It is located on the northern tip of the atoll, near the village of Rawannawi.The airport is served by Air Kiribati from Abaiang on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays... - NikunauNikunauNikunau is a low coral island located in the Gilbert Islands and forms a council district of the Republic of Kiribati. The island consists of two parts which are joined by an isthmus about 150 m wide....
- Nikunau AirportNikunau AirportMarakei Airport is the airport serving Nikunau, Kiribati. It is located on the western tip of the atoll.The airport is served by Air Kiribati from Beru Island Airport on Beru Island, from which you can transfer to fly to Bonriki International Airport in Tarawa.-Airlines and destinations:... - NonoutiNonoutiNonouti is an atoll and district of Kiribati. The atoll is located in the South Gilbert Islands, 38 km north of Tabiteuea, and 250 km south of Tarawa. The eastern side of the atoll is the primary permanent landmass. There is an islet on the northwest side of the atoll called Noumatong. Noumatong...
- Nonouti Airport - OnotoaOnotoaOnotoa is an atoll and district of Kiribati. It is situated in the Gilbert Islands in the Pacific Ocean, 65 km from Tamana, the smallest island in the Gilberts....
- Onotoa Airport - Tabiteuea North - Tabiteuea North Airport
- Tabiteuea South - Tabiteuea South Airport
- Tamana - Tamana Airport
- Tarawa - Bonriki International AirportBonriki International Airport-See also:* USAAF in the Central Pacific...
Hub
- Abaiang
Fleet
The Air Kiribati fleet consists of the following aircraft (at January 2010):- 1 Boeing 737-300 (owned by Our Airline)
- 1 CASA C-212-200
- 1 Harbin Y-12 II
In December 2007, the Kiribati Government
Politics of Kiribati
Politics of Kiribati takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic republic, whereby the President of Kiribati is the head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and...
approved a request by Air Kiribati to purchase two Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
made Twin Otter
De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter
The DHC-6 Twin Otter is a Canadian 19-passenger STOL utility aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada and currently produced by Viking Air. The aircraft's fixed tricycle undercarriage, STOL abilities and high rate of climb have made it a successful cargo, regional passenger airliner and MEDEVAC...
aircraft. Each plane is reported to cost USD
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
3.3 million, but Air Kiribati's CEO Baraniko Baaro reports the purchase is a wise move which will save money currently used for the frequent repairs the aging air fleet requires. In addition, the new planes boast higher fuel efficiency, have room for more passengers and cargo and require less runway length than the current fleet, which may be of benefit on the airstrips of Kiribati's outer islands.
Previously operated
- 1 Britten-Norman BN-2A Islander
For one year, it also included 1 ATR 72-500. Its huge costs eventually led to a change in the President of Kiribati
President of Kiribati
The President of Kiribati is the head of state and head of government of Kiribati.Following a general election, by which citizens elect the members of the House of Assembly, members select from their midst "not less than 3 nor more than 4 candidates" for the presidency. No other person may stand...
.