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Air Kiribati

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Air Kiribati
File:Air Kiribati Logo.png
IATA ICAO Call sign
IK AKL Kiribati
Founded1995
Operating basesBonriki International Airport
Fleet size6
Destinations20
Parent companyAir Kiribati Ltd.
HeadquartersBonriki, Tarawa, Kiribati
Key peopleActing CEO Mr Kobebe Taitai[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

After the Air Tungaru activities ceasing in 1994, Air Kiribati has offered since 1995 some international services but has been predominately focussed on providing domestic connections through the Gilbert Islands. Then in 2016, Air Kiribati commenced also domestic operations in the Line Islands, servicing from Kiritimati both Washington and Fanning islands.

The Air Kiribati board directly reports to the Ministry of Information, Communications, Transport and Tourism Development (MICTTD).

Past and present CEOs

From To Name Citation
August 2021 Present Kobebe Taitai
February 2020 August 2021 Philip Statham
2013 June 2019 Tarataake Teannaki [5]
2002 2013 Baraniko Baaro [6]
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 [7] May
2004 ATR 72–500 (T3-ATR) is terminated March
2004 Air Kiribati ended international ops March
2005 24 seats blocked on Air Pacific to serve Kiritimati - Honolulu October 4
2008 24 seat block with Air Pacific suspended [8]
2010 24 seat block with Air Pacific resumed May 25
2012 Air Kiribati goes to court with US aircraft supplier CAAMS over a DHC-6-300 trade deal [9]
2017 Air Kiribati and Solomon Airlines sign new aviation agreement linking Tarawa with Honiara, Brisbane and Nadi [10] 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 [11] May 28
2018 Air Kiribati orders from Embraer the E-190-E2 variant, for two aircraft and taken purchase rights on two more for $243 million. December
2019 First of two Embraer E190-E2 delivered to Air Kiribati [12] 30 December

Corporate affairs

Board

Air Kiribati is governed by a board which directly reports to Tekeeua Tarati, the Minister for Information, Communication, Transport and Tourism Development (MICTTD).[13]

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

CEO

On 31st 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.[15] 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:[16]

  1. Aircraft Security Act 1990[17]
  2. Civil Aviation Act 2004[18]

The actual regulations used are primarily from New Zealand, the NZCARs.[16]

Destinations

Domestic destinations

Makin Airfield at dawn
Island group Atoll IATA ICAO Airport name
Gilbert Islands Abaiang ABF NGAB Abaiang Airport
Gilbert Islands Abemama AEA NGTB Abemama Airport
Gilbert Islands Aranuka AAK NGUK Aranuka Airport
Gilbert Islands Arorae AIS NGTR Arorae Airport
Gilbert Islands Beru Island BEZ NGBR Beru Airport
Gilbert Islands Butaritari BBG NGTU Butaritari 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 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 8,809 and 20 inhabitants, respectively, are too far from the Gilbert Islands to be considered commercially viable to serve 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-Canton Island-Kiritimati. On September 2021, Air Kiribati leases one Solomon Airlines aircraft to operate domestic services.

Kiritimati

It is possible to fly from Tarawa to Kiritimati, but only 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:[19]

Air Kiribati fleet
Aircraft In service Orders Passengers (B/E) Notes
De Havilland Canada Dash 8-106 1 — 37
De Havilland Canada DHC-6-300 4 — 20
Embraer E190-E2 1 1 92 (12/80)[20] Deliveries from December 2019[21]
Operated by Pionair Australia, but stranded since in Brisbane waiting for clearance with only one inaugural flight Brisbane-Honiara-Tarawa and return (no commercial passengers)
(updated in December 2021).
Total 6 1

Retired fleet

Aircraft Passengers Notes
ATR 72–500 [7][22]
CASA C-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

Embraer E190-E2

In December 2019,[23] the first Embraer E190-E2, in Air Kiribati livery,[24] 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.[25]

The Embraer E190-E2 has a maximum range of 5,278 km (2,850 nm). 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.[26]

Air Kiribati acting CEO Danial Rochford previously pointed out that "the type's increased range deemed it a "perfect choice" for the carrier."[27] Acting CEO Danial Rochford says that the E190-E2 will offer “opportunities to fly from Australia and New Zealand direct to Kiribati”.[28]

The E190-E2 is able to operate every required route in the Air Kiribati network when it receives ETOPS 120 minutes certification [29] 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.[30]

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."[31]

Domestic Twin Otter

In December 2007, the Kiribati Government approved a request by Air Kiribati to purchase two Canadian made Twin Otter aircraft.[32] 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.[33]

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.[34] It is operating a once-a-week service between Tarawa and Funafuti from 21 March 2018.[35]

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.[36]

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 [37]
2016 $7.1m IDA Kiribati Aviation Investment Project (KAIP)[38] safety and security oversight and advisory support services. [37]

References

  1. ^ "Linked In Danial Rochford".[dead link]
  2. ^ "Correct pronunciation of Kiribati i.e. Kiri'bas".
  3. ^ a b c "Air Kiribati - National Flag Carrier of Republic of Kiribati".
  4. ^ "Air Kiribati Airline Profile | CAPA".
  5. ^ "Tarataake CEO".[dead link]
  6. ^ Press, C. Q. (2013). Worldwide Government Directory 2013. ISBN 9781452299372.
  7. ^ a b "Air Kiribati Fleet Details and History". Planespotters.net. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  8. ^ "Air Pacific Suspends Flights To Kirimati (Christmas) Island". Air Pacific, 29 August 2008. Retrieved on 19 Oct 2008.
  9. ^ "Twin Otter court case".
  10. ^ "Air Kiribati and Solomon Airlines sign new aviation agreement".
  11. ^ "Pionair AOC issue details". 2 September 2021.
  12. ^ 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)
  13. ^ "Board at Air Kiribati".
  14. ^ "100% government-owned CAPA".
  15. ^ "Tarataake move to MICTTD".
  16. ^ a b "Kiribati Aviation Regulations".
  17. ^ "Aviation Security Act 1990 as RTF".
  18. ^ "Kiribati Civil Aviation Act 2004 as PDF" (PDF).
  19. ^ "Air Kiribati takes delivery of first Embraer 190-E2".
  20. ^ "Portal Embraer".
  21. ^ "Air Kiribati to go the distance with Embraer E2 order". Australian Aviation. 19 December 2018.
  22. ^ Why Kiribati's Switching Alliance. Pacific Magazine. Retrieved on 2008-09-16.
  23. ^ "Pionair Charter Airline website".
  24. ^ "Air Kiribati Livery".
  25. ^ "E190-E2 CASA aircraft registry". 2 September 2021.
  26. ^ "An Update on the E2 Program at Embraer » AirInsight". AirInsight. 2018-04-06. Retrieved 2020-02-20.
  27. ^ "CEO Danial Rochford says E190-E2 is perfect choice for Air Kiribati".
  28. ^ "Direct flights Australia NZ to Kiribati". 8 July 2019.
  29. ^ "'Smooth operator' Embraer has eyes on the prize". Australian Aviation. 2019-02-26. Retrieved 2020-02-20.
  30. ^ 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)
  31. ^ "last paragraph - Tarawa to Kiritimati Isand". 18 December 2018.
  32. ^ 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.
  33. ^ Air Kiribati To Acquire Two Twin Otters. Pacific Magazine, 12–22 December 2007. Retrieved on 2008-09-16.
  34. ^ "Blue Swan Daily article". 31 October 2017.
  35. ^ "Funafuti service announcement".
  36. ^ "Dash 8 service PR".
  37. ^ a b "worldbank 2016 PAIC".
  38. ^ "KAIP funding".
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