Air Kiribati
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| Air Kiribati | ||
|---|---|---|
| IATA '4A |
ICAO AKL |
Callsign ' |
| Founded | 1 April 1995 | |
| Hubs | Bonriki International Airport | |
| Fleet size | 2 | |
| Destinations | 17 | |
| Headquarters | Tarawa Atoll (Kiribati) | |
| Key people | Baraniko Baaro (CEO) | |
| Website: http://www.kiritours.com/Travel/AirKiribati/ | ||
Air Kiribati is the national airline of Kiribati operating local passenger services within the Kiribati Islands. It also operates charters, medical evacuation and search and rescue services. Its main base is Bonriki International Airport, Tarawa Atoll[1].
Contents |
[edit] Code Data
[edit] History
The airline was established and started operations on April 1, 1995, after the collapse of the previous national airline Air Tungaru, 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.
[edit] Destinations
Air Kiribati operates only domestic flights since 2003 (and most of the Gilbert Islands are linked except Banaba Island). 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, because of Aloha difficulties, there have been no more flights since April 2004. Since October 4, 2005, a new service is operated by Fijian Air Pacific, every Tuesday, from Honolulu, with 24 places chartered on each flight by Air Kiribati. Flight diversions can also be arranged when required. Medevac and SAR are always considered priority.
Air Kiribati's 17 destinations are the following:
- Abaiang (Abaiang Atoll Airport)
- Abemama (Abemama Airport)
- Aranuka (Aranuka Airport)
- Arorae (Arorae Island Airport)
- Beru (Beru Island Airport)
- Butaritari (Butaritari Airport)
- Kuria (Kuria Airport)
- Maiana (Maiana Airport)
- Makin (Makin Airport)
- Marakei (Marakei Airport)
- Nikunau (Nikunau Airport)
- Nonouti (Nonouti Airport)
- Onotoa (Onotoa Airport)
- Tabiteuea North (Tabiteuea North Airport)
- Tabiteuea South (Tabiteuea South Airport)
- Tamana (Tamana Airport)
- Tarawa (Bonriki International Airport) Hub
[edit] Fleet
The Air Kiribati fleet consists of the following aircraft (at March 2007)[1] :
In December of 2007, the Kiribati Government approved a request by Air Kiribati to purchase two Canadian made Twin Otter aircraft.[2] 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 Chinese made fleet require. In addition, the new planes boast higher fuel efficiency[2], 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.[3]
[edit] Previously operated
- 1 Britten-Norman BN2A Islander (at January 2005)[citation needed].
For one year, it also included 1 ATR 72-500. Its huge costs eventually led to a change in the President of Kiribati.[4].
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Flight International 27 March 2007
- ^ a b Kiribati government gives their national airline the green light to purchase planes
- ^ Pacific Magazine: Air Kiribati To Acquire Two Twin Otters
- ^ Why Kiribati's Switching Alliance (html). In just six months of flying, the lease chewed up A$8 million worth of public money, prompting Tong in his first few days of taking up office last September to issue an ultimatum to the carrier: break even or close down. Retrieved on 2007-01-26.
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