Air Kiribati (pronounced Air ) is the flag carrier of the Republic of Kiribati 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. 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. History Air Kiribati was first established as Air Tungaru in 1977. The airline served all 16 domestic airports in Kiribati as well as Honolulu and Papeete with a Boeing 727. In 1996 Air Tungaru ceased operations and Air Kiribati was established to mainly service domestic points in Kiribati with a slew of smaller regional airliners. In 2002 the airlines first ATR 72–500 enters service, but is retired in 2004. In 2016, Air Kiribati commenced also domestic operations in the Line Islands, servicing from Kiritimati both Washington and Fanning islands. In 2017 Air Kiribati's first De Havilland Canada Dash 8-106 is delivered and in 2019 the first of two Embraer E190-E2s delivered to Air Kiribati. 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). Air Kiribati is 100% owned by the Government of Kiribati. CEO On 31 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. 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: Aircraft Security Act 1990 Civil Aviation Act 2004 The actual regulations used are primarily from New Zealand, the NZCARs. Destinations As of 2022, Air Kiribati serves these destinations: Abaiang - Abaiang Airport Abemama - Abemama Airport Aranuka - Aranuka Airport Arorae - Arorae Airport Beru Island - Beru Airport Butaritari - Butaritari Airport Kuria - Kuria Airport Maiana - Maiana Airport Makin- Makin Airport Marakei - Marakei Airport Nikunau - Nikunau Airport Nonouti - Nonouti Airport