Product Code Database
Air Kiribati (pronounced ) is the flag carrier of the Republic of Kiribati and operates scheduled passenger services to 20 atolls spread over an area of .
It is headquartered at Bonriki International Airport on the island of Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands. Regional charter flights, medical evacuation, as well as search and rescue services are also undertaken by the airline.
Air Kiribati is 100% owned by the Government of Kiribati.
In February 2020, Captain Philip Statham became CEO after Tarataake Teannaki moved to become Secretary for Information, Communications, Transport and Tourism Development. Air Kiribati is looking for a new CEO, after position vacant, since August 2021. The position is currently only open to Kiribati nationals.
The actual regulations used are primarily from New Zealand, the NZCARs.
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| + Air Kiribati fleet ! rowspan="2" | Aircraft ! rowspan="2" | In service ! rowspan="2" | Orders ! colspan="3" | Passengers ! rowspan="2" | Notes | |
| De Havilland Canada DHC-6-300 Twin Otter | 4 | — | — | 19 | 19 | One leased from Hevilift PNG. |
| De Havilland Canada DHC-6-400 Twin Otter | 1 | — | ||||
| De Havilland Canada DHC-8-100 | 1 | — | — | 37 | 37 | Leased from Avmax Group. |
| Embraer E190-E2 | — | 1 | 12 | 80 | 92 | To be operated by Nauru Airlines. |
The Embraer E190-E2 has a maximum range of . 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.
Air Kiribati acting CEO Danial Rochford previously pointed out that "the type's increased range deemed it a "perfect choice" for the carrier." Acting CEO Danial Rochford says that the E190-E2 will offer “opportunities to fly from Australia and New Zealand direct to Kiribati”.
The E190-E2 is able to operate every required route in the Air Kiribati network when it receives ETOPS 120 minutes certification 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.
The Kiribati Transport Minister stated: "non-stop operations between the capital Tarawa and Kiritimati 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."
However, the first of 2 Embraer E190-E2s wasn't taken up and never entered passenger service, eventually ended up with the operator, Pionair Australia.
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.
The aircraft is no longer in service.
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.
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