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==== International - E190-E2 ====
==== International - E190-E2 ====
<nowiki>In December 2019,</nowiki><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pionair.com.au/|title=Pionair Charter Airline website|last=|first=|date=|website=|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref> the first [[E190-E2]] (in Air Kiribati [[Aircraft livery|livery]] <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://airwaysmag.com/airlines/air-kiribati-orders-four-embraer-e190-e2s/|title=Air Kiribati Livery|last=|first=|date=|website=|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref>) arrive at [[Brisbane Airport|Brisbane]]. The E190-E2 has been added to the Australian aircraft registry (CASA) since the beginning of 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.casa.gov.au/aircraft-register|title=E190-E2 CASA aircraft registry|last=|first=|date=|website=|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref>
<nowiki>In December 2019,</nowiki><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pionair.com.au/|title=Pionair Charter Airline website|last=|first=|date=|website=|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref> the first [[E190-E2]] (in Air Kiribati [[Aircraft livery|livery]] <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://airwaysmag.com/airlines/air-kiribati-orders-four-embraer-e190-e2s/|title=Air Kiribati Livery|last=|first=|date=|website=|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref>) arrived at [[Brisbane Airport|Brisbane]]. The E190-E2 has been added to the Australian aircraft registry (CASA) since the beginning of 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.casa.gov.au/aircraft-register|title=E190-E2 CASA aircraft registry|last=|first=|date=|website=|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref>


The E190-E2 aircraft has a max range of [[E190-E2|5,278]] km (2,850&nbsp;nm). It has retains cockpit commonality with its predecessor - E190, which means that E190 pilots will only require a 2.5 days transition training with no simulator time required. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://airinsight.com/an-update-on-the-e2-program-at-embraer/|title=An Update on the E2 Program at Embraer » AirInsight|date=2018-04-06|website=AirInsight|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-20}}</ref>
The E190-E2 aircraft has a max range of [[E190-E2|5,278]] km (2,850&nbsp;nm). It has retains cockpit commonality with its predecessor - E190, which means that E190 pilots will only require a 2.5 days transition training with no simulator time required. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://airinsight.com/an-update-on-the-e2-program-at-embraer/|title=An Update on the E2 Program at Embraer » AirInsight|date=2018-04-06|website=AirInsight|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-20}}</ref>
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Cesar Pereira, Asia Pacific Vice President of Embraer Commercial Aviation said “We warmly welcome Air Kiribati to the Embraer family and we will work closely with the airline as they transition to the E190-E2 through our extensive entry-into-service package and world-class support team in the region, Flying in the Pacific, over large bodies of water, requires outstanding range, performance and ample cargo capacity .<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://airinsight.com/air-kiribati-orders-e190-e2/|title=Embraer announcement|last=|first=|date=|website=|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref>
Cesar Pereira, Asia Pacific Vice President of Embraer Commercial Aviation said “We warmly welcome Air Kiribati to the Embraer family and we will work closely with the airline as they transition to the E190-E2 through our extensive entry-into-service package and world-class support team in the region, Flying in the Pacific, over large bodies of water, requires outstanding range, performance and ample cargo capacity .<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://airinsight.com/air-kiribati-orders-e190-e2/|title=Embraer announcement|last=|first=|date=|website=|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref>
===== Network =====
===== Network =====
The E190-E2 is able to operate every required route in the Air Kiribati network <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://australianaviation.com.au/2019/02/smooth-operator-embraer-has-eyes-on-the-prize/|title=‘Smooth operator’ Embraer has eyes on the prize|date=2019-02-26|website=Australian Aviation|language=en-AU|access-date=2020-02-20}}</ref> 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 fleet of turboprops. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/airlines/air-kiribati-takes-delivery-of-first-embraer-190-e2/135961.article|title=Air Kiribati takes delivery of first Embraer 190-E2|last=Wolfsteller2019-12-30T18:18:00+00:00|first=Pilar|website=Flight Global|language=en|access-date=2020-02-20}}</ref>
⚫
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.",<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://airinsight.com/air-kiribati-orders-e190-e2/|title=last paragraph - Tarawa to Kiritimati Isand|last=|first=|date=|website=|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref>

⚫
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."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://airinsight.com/air-kiribati-orders-e190-e2/|title=last paragraph - Tarawa to Kiritimati Isand|last=|first=|date=|website=|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref>


==== Domestic Twin Otter ====
==== Domestic Twin Otter ====
Line 408: Line 410:


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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://corporate.southpacificislands.travel/air-kiribati-confirms-flight-plans-new-dash-8-aircraft/|title=Dash 8 service PR|last=|first=|date=|website=|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://corporate.southpacificislands.travel/air-kiribati-confirms-flight-plans-new-dash-8-aircraft/|title=Dash 8 service PR|last=|first=|date=|website=|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref>


===Publicly declared funding===
===Publicly declared funding===
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"

Revision as of 02:56, 20 February 2020

Air Kiribati
IATA ICAO Callsign
IK AKL Kiribati
Operating basesBonriki International Airport
Fleet size6
Destinations20
Parent companyAir Kiribati Ltd. headquarters = Bonriki, Tarawa, Kiribati
Key peopleCEO: Captain Philip Statham [1]
Employees71
Websitehttp://www.airkiribati.com.ki

Air Kiribati (pronounced Air Kiri'bas [2]) is the flag carrier of the Republic of Kiribati[3] and operates scheduled passenger services to 20 atolls spread over an area of 3.5m sq km.

It is headquartered at Bonriki International Airport on the island of Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands.[3] The airline operates an international service from Tarawa to Tuvalu. Regional charter flights, medical evacuation and search and rescue services are also undertaken by the airline.[3][4]

History

Past and Present CEO's

From To Name Citation
July 2019 Present Danial Rochford [5]
2013 June 2019 Tarataake Teannaki [6]
2002 2013 Baraniko Baaro [7]
1995 2002

Domestic competition

Until 2008, it was the only airline to offer flights domestically.

In January 2009, a new Kiribati based airline was established, Coral Sun Airways, with charter flights within the Gilbert Islands (Western region of Kiribati). Coral Sun Airways are also the only Kiribati-registered airline to operate between Gilbert Islands and Line Islands (Eastern Region of Kiribati) since Air Kiribati stopped using their ATR-72.

Timeline of Significant events

year event citation Precise Date
1977 Formation of Air Tungaru October 31
1995 Collapse of Air Tungaru
1995 Formation of Air Kiribati April 1
2002 ATR 72–500 ( T3-ATR ) Enters into service [8] May
2004 ATR 72–500 ( T3-ATR ) is terminated March
2004 Air kirbati ended Intl ops March
2005 24 seats blocked on Air Pacific to serve Tarawa - Honolulu October 4
2008 24 seat block with Air Pacific suspended [9]
2010 24 Seat block with Air Pacific resumed May 25
2012 Air Kiribati went to court with US aircraft supplier CAAMS over a DHC-6-300 Trade Deal [10]
2017 Air Kiribati and Solomon Airlines sign new aviation agreement linking Tarawa with Honiara, Brisbane and Nadi [11] March 20
2017 Iata Ticket Code IK 069
2017 Received DHC-8-100
2019 PionAir receive their AOC from CASA (in preparation for operating E190-E2 branded as Air Kiribati) [12] May 28

Corporate affairs

Board

Air Kiribati is governed by a Board which directly reports to Hon. Willie TOKATAAKE the Minister for Information, Communication, Transport and Tourism Development (MICTTD).[13]

Air Kiribatu is 100% owned by the Government of Kiribati.[14]

CEO

In June 2019 Danial Rochford became acting CEO of Air Kiribati [1] [after Tarataake TEANNAKI moved to become Secretary for Information, Communications, Transport and Tourism Development[15] ].

Rochford was previously Air Kiribati General Manager Commercial, Strategy and Operations [1] and he was and still is chairperson of the new National Tourism Authority in Kiribati.[16]

He is a former CEO of Whitsundays Marketing and Development Ltd,[17] Gladstone Area Promotion and Development Ltd and Director of Tourism for the Port Arthur Historic Site and holder of 2002 Queensland Young Achiever of the Year from National Australia Day Council.[1]

Rochford is quoted as saying: "Kiribati is officially the sixth least visited country in the world".[18]

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:[19]

  1. Aircraft Security Act 1990[20]
  2. Civil Aviation Act 2004[21]

The actual regulations used are primarily from New Zealand, the NZCAR's.[19]

Destinations

Domestic destinations

Island group Atoll IATA ICAO Airport Name
Gilbert Islands Abaiang NGAB ABF Abaiang Atoll Airport
Gilbert Islands Abemama NGTB AEA Abemama Atoll Airport
Gilbert Islands Aranuka AAK NGUK Aranuka Airport
Gilbert Islands Arorae AIS NGTR Arorae Island Airport
Gilbert Islands Beru Island BEZ NGBR Beru Island Airport
Gilbert Islands Butaritari BBG NGTU Butaritari Atoll Airport
Gilbert Islands Kuria KUC NGKT Kuria Airport
Gilbert Islands Maiana MNK NGMA Maiana Airport
Gilbert Islands Makin MTK NGMN Makin Airport
Gilbert Islands Marakei MZK NGMK Marakei Airport
Gilbert Islands Nikunau NIG NGNU Nikunau Airport
Gilbert Islands Nonouti NON NGTO Nonouti Airport
Gilbert Islands Onotoa OOT NGON Onotoa Airport
Gilbert Islands Tabiteuea TBF NGTE Tabiteuea North Airport
Gilbert Islands Tabiteuea TSU NGTS Tabiteuea South Airport
Gilbert Islands Tamana TMN NGTM Tamana Airport
Gilbert Islands Tarawa TRW NGTA Bonriki International Airport
Line Islands Kiritimati CXI PLCH Cassidy International Airport
Line Islands Tabuaeran TNV PLFA Tabuaeran Island Airport
Line Islands Teraina TNQ none Teraina Airfield
Air Kiribati route map. Pink lines signify routes that are only operated in the direction indicated by the arrows.

International destinations

Country IATA ICAO Airport Name Notes Refs
Tuvalu FUN NGFU Funafuti

Destinations General

Air Kiribati operates domestic flights linking all the Gilbert Islands, the Line Islands and Phoenix Islands, with 41,000 and 8,809 inhabitants, respectively are too far from the Gilbert Islands to be considered commercially viable to serve these from Tarawa although Air Kiribati's only rival airline, domestic Coral Sun Airways, was examining the purchase of a new aircraft capable of flying Tarawa-Kiritimati.

Kiritimati

It is possible to fly Tarawa to Kiritimati, but mainly via Nadi, Fiji. There are some direct fights chartered by Air Kiribati for students during holidays. [citation needed]

Fleet

As of December 2019, Air Kiribati consists of following aircraft:[22]

Air Kiribati Fleet
Aircraft In service Orders Passengers (B/E) Notes
Harbin Y-12E 1 — 17
De Havilland Canada Dash 8-100 1 — 37
De Havilland Canada DHC-6-400 2 — 20
Embraer E190-E2 1 1 12/80 Deliveries from December 2019[23]
Total 6 1

Retired Fleet

Aircraft Passengers Notes
ATR 72–500 1 [8][24]
CASA 212
Britten-Norman BN-2A
  • T3-ATI (Y12)
    T3-ATI (Y12)
  • T3-AKL (DHC-6 "Twin Otter")
    T3-AKL (DHC-6 "Twin Otter")
  • T3-ATR - no longer in use
    T3-ATR - no longer in use
  • CASA 212 now retired (left aircraft)
    CASA 212 now retired (left aircraft)

Fleet development

International - E190-E2

In December 2019,[25] the first E190-E2 (in Air Kiribati livery [26]) arrived at Brisbane. The E190-E2 has been added to the Australian aircraft registry (CASA) since the beginning of 2020.[27]

The E190-E2 aircraft has a max range of 5,278 km (2,850 nm). It has retains cockpit commonality with its predecessor - E190, which means that E190 pilots will only require a 2.5 days transition training with no simulator time required. [28]

Air Kiribati acting CEO Danial Rochford previously pointed out that "the type's increased range deemed it a "perfect choice" for the carrier." [29] Acting CEO Danial Rochford says that the E190-E2 aircraft will offer “opportunities to fly from Australia and New Zealand direct to Kiribati” [30]

Cesar Pereira, Asia Pacific Vice President of Embraer Commercial Aviation said “We warmly welcome Air Kiribati to the Embraer family and we will work closely with the airline as they transition to the E190-E2 through our extensive entry-into-service package and world-class support team in the region, Flying in the Pacific, over large bodies of water, requires outstanding range, performance and ample cargo capacity .[31]

Network

The E190-E2 is able to operate every required route in the Air Kiribati network [32] 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 fleet of turboprops. [33]

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."[34]

Domestic Twin Otter

In December 2007, the Kiribati Government approved a request by Air Kiribati to purchase two Canadian made Twin Otter aircraft.[35] 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.[36]

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.[37] It is operating a once-a-week service between Tarawa and Funafuti from 21 March 2018.[38]

Acting CEO Danial Rochford said “We are very excited to reconnect Kiribati and Tuvalu with this once a week service using our Dash 8 aircraft. These two nations have strong traditional ties and we are confident that the service will be well supported. We are thrilled to play a role in foster greater access for economic development and trade as well as facilitate increased tourism for our island nations”.[39]

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.[40]

Publicly declared funding

Year Amount From Title Purpose Date citation
2016 $12.45m World Bank Pacific Aviation Investment Program essential upgrades to runways, terminal infrastructure and air traffic control management systems, along with sector reform in the Pacific March 9 [41]
2016 $7.1m IDA Kiribati Aviation Investment Project (KAIP)[42] safety and security oversight and advisory support services. [41]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Linked In Danial Rochford".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ^ "Correct pronunciation of Kiribati i.e. Kiri'bas".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ a b c "Air Kiribati - National Flag Carrier of Republic of Kiribati".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ [1]
  5. ^ "Rochford CEO".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ "Tarataake CEO".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ^ Worldwide Government Directory 2013. 2013.
  8. ^ a b "Air Kiribati Fleet Details and History". Planespotters.net. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  9. ^ "Air Pacific Suspends Flights To Kirimati (Christmas) Island". Air Pacific, 29 August 2008. Retrieved on 19 Oct 2008.
  10. ^ "Twin Otter court case".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. ^ "Air Kiribati and Solomon Airlines sign new aviation agreement".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. ^ "Pionair AOC issue details".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  13. ^ "Board at Air Kiribati".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. ^ "100% government owned CAPA".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  15. ^ "Tarataake move to MICTTD".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  16. ^ "Danial Rochford Chair of Tourism Kiribati".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  17. ^ "Danial Rochford Whitsundays".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  18. ^ "Kiribati is officially the sixth least visited country in the world".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. ^ a b "Kiribati Aviation Regulations".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  20. ^ "Aviation Security Act 1990 as RTF".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  21. ^ "Kiribati Civil Aviation Act 2004 as PDF" (PDF).{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  22. ^ https://www.flightglobal.com/airlines/air-kiribati-takes-delivery-of-first-embraer-190-e2/135961.article
  23. ^ "Air Kiribati to go the distance with Embraer E2 order". Australian Aviation. 19 December 2018.
  24. ^ Why Kiribati's Switching Alliance. Pacific Magazine. Retrieved on 2008-09-16.
  25. ^ "Pionair Charter Airline website".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  26. ^ "Air Kiribati Livery".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  27. ^ "E190-E2 CASA aircraft registry".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  28. ^ "An Update on the E2 Program at Embraer » AirInsight". AirInsight. 2018-04-06. Retrieved 2020-02-20.
  29. ^ "CEO Danial Rochford says E190-E2 is perfect choice for Air Kiribati".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  30. ^ "Direct flights Australia NZ to Kiribati".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  31. ^ "Embraer announcement".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  32. ^ "'Smooth operator' Embraer has eyes on the prize". Australian Aviation. 2019-02-26. Retrieved 2020-02-20.
  33. ^ Wolfsteller2019-12-30T18:18:00+00:00, Pilar. "Air Kiribati takes delivery of first Embraer 190-E2". Flight Global. Retrieved 2020-02-20.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  34. ^ "last paragraph - Tarawa to Kiritimati Isand".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  35. ^ Kiribati government gives their national airline the green light to purchase planes. Radio New Zealand International, 12–26 December 2007. Retrieved on 2008-09-16.
  36. ^ Air Kiribati To Acquire Two Twin Otters. Pacific Magazine, 12–22 December 2007. Retrieved on 2008-09-16.
  37. ^ "Blue Swan Daily article".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  38. ^ "Funafuti service announcement".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  39. ^ "Tuvalu service PR release - Danial Rochford quotation".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  40. ^ "Dash 8 service PR".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  41. ^ a b "worldbank 2016 PAIC".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  42. ^ "KAIP funding".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

External links

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