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Air Kiribati (pronounced Air /ˌkɪrɪˈbæs/[2]) is the flag carrier of the Republic of Kiribati[3] and operates scheduled passenger services to 20 atolls spread over an area of 3.5 million square kilometres (1,400,000 sq mi).
Air Kiribati was first established as Air Tungaru in 1977. The airline served all 16 domestic airports in Kiribati as well as Honolulu and Papeete with a Boeing 727. In 1996 Air Tungaru ceased operations and Air Kiribati was established to mainly service domestic points in Kiribati with a slew of smaller regional airliners. In 2002 the airlines first ATR 72–500 enters service, but is retired in 2004. In 2016, Air Kiribati commenced also domestic operations in the Line Islands, servicing from Kiritimati both Washington and Fanning islands. In 2017 Air Kiribati's first De Havilland Canada Dash 8-106 is delivered and in 2019 the first of two Embraer E190-E2s delivered to Air Kiribati.
On 31 July Kobebe Taitai was appointed as acting CEO.
In February 2020 Captain Philip Statham became CEO after Tarataake Teannaki moved to become Secretary for Information, Communications, Transport and Tourism Development.[7] Air Kiribati is looking for a new CEO, after position vacant, since August 2021. The position is now only open to Kiribati nationals.
Regulatory oversight
The Civil Aviation Authority of Kiribati known as a Civil Aviation Division is one of the Governmental divisions under the Ministry of Information, Communications, Transport and Tourism Development (MICTTD) and is responsible for all Aviation activities in the country.The primary aviation legislation used are:[8]
Operated by Pionair Australia, but operating flights in Australia under Pionair's name & livery. Air Kiribati has only operated one flight under their own name (Brisbane-Honiara-Tarawa and return), made without commercial passengers.
(updated in January 2024).
Air Kiribati's official website, does not currently list E190 aircraft on its fleet information section.[12]
Total
4
-
Fleet development
Embraer E190-E2
In December 2019,[13] the first Embraer E190-E2, in Air Kiribati livery,[14] was delivered to the airline. The E190-E2 has been certified and registered to the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) since the beginning of 2020.[15]
The Embraer E190-E2 has a maximum range of 5,278 kilometres (3,280 mi; 2,850 nmi). It retains cockpit commonality with its predecessor - E190. E190 pilots will only require a 2.5 days transition training with no flight simulator time needed to be able to fly the E190-E2.[16]
Air Kiribati acting CEO Danial Rochford previously pointed out that "the type's increased range deemed it a "perfect choice" for the carrier."[17] Acting CEO Danial Rochford says that the E190-E2 will offer “opportunities to fly from Australia and New Zealand direct to Kiribati”.[18]
The E190-E2 is able to operate every required route in the Air Kiribati network when it receives ETOPS 120 minutes certification [19] and also allow the airline to operate longer-haul domestic and international routes including connections that had so far been beyond the reach of its current fleet of turboprops.[20]
The Kiribati Transport Minister stated: "non-stop operations between the capital Tarawa and Kiritmati (Christmas) island [sic] currently requires an international stop in Fiji. With a range of 2,850 nautical miles, the E190-E2 can operate throughout the country with non-stop routes."[21]
However, the first of 2 Embraer E190-E2's wasn't taken up and never entered passenger service, eventually ended up with the operator, Pionair Australia.[22]
Domestic Twin Otter
In December 2007, the Kiribati Government approved a request by Air Kiribati to purchase two Canadian-made Twin Otter aircraft.[23] Each plane is reported to cost US$3.3 million, but Air Kiribati's previous 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.[24]
Regional Dash 8
Air Kiribati has received its first new Dash 8 100 series aircraft, which touched down at Bonriki International Airport from Canada on 31 October 2017.[25]
Tarataake Teannaki (a previous CEO) said "The Dash 8 is expected to fly to Tabiteuea North, pick up passengers from the Southern Gilbert Islands who will be flown to Tabiteuea North via Air Kiribati’s smaller aircraft stationed on the island to pick passengers from the Southern Gilberts and vice versa.[26]
ATR 72
On 29 May 2002, Air Kiribati received an ATR 72-202, leased from ATRiam Capital. Air Kiribati operated the aircraft until March 2004, when it was returned to ATRiam Capital.[27]
