Aviation History
Kiribati's main airport at Bonriki, Tarawa, began as a US Navy airfield built during World War II and later became the country's civilian international gateway. National air service dates to Air Tungaru, founded in 1977, which closed and was succeeded by Air Kiribati in 1996; today Air Kiribati operates a fleet of Twin Otters, a Dash 8 and Embraer E-Jets across one of the most geographically dispersed route networks in the world.
US Navy Seabees constructed the airfield at Bonriki (initially named Mullinix Field) on Tarawa during World War II; it later became Kiribati's main international airport.
Air Tungaru began operations, flying domestic routes as well as international service to Honolulu and Papeete using a Boeing 727.
Following Air Tungaru's closure, the carrier was reconstituted as Air Kiribati, refocused primarily on domestic inter-atoll service with smaller aircraft.
Air Kiribati introduced its first ATR 72-500, though the type was retired from the fleet in 2004.
The airline commenced operations to the remote Line Islands, serving Washington and Fanning islands.
Air Kiribati received its first Embraer E190-E2, expanding capacity on its network.
Air Kiribati · Air Tungaru (defunct predecessor) · Coral Sun Airways
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