Christmas Island Opening Delayed… Again!
Yep, almost three years since a commercial flight has landed at Cassidy Airport. Frantically, we were hoping the early December 2022 opening wasn’t another mirage. Not the case, right now there are no flights available until April 2023. A few days ago, all of us who had flights booked this December and January received emails stating:
Fiji Airways wishes to advise all guests traveling on our Nadi – Christmas Island – Honolulu – Christmas Island – Nadi Services that the following flights from December 2022 to January 2023 have been temporarily suspended, as a result of the ongoing border closure constraints placed on travel.
While it’s extremely disappointing for both the local folks who are ready for visitors, and their dollars, and the fishermen who so desperately want to give them up, it’s really not a surprise. What is surprising was the correspondence just received by a friend who reached out to the Tourism Authority of Kiribati. While Fiji Airways has been the target of our wrath since the first time they did the bait-and-switch, it appears they aren’t entirely to blame. If I read between the lines, it seems the government is struggling with a post-Covid travel balance. I think they want visitors back, but they want to ensure that Covid isn’t invited. Not possible.
So, many of us are making other plans for travel right now, but fly fishing for bonefish, trevally, etc, just isn’t the same anywhere else.
Response from the Chief Executive Officer reprinted below, feel free to respectfully reach out. Let’s let him know how many of us are anxious to get back…
Thank you very much for your e-mail and we apologize for the inconvenience you have been caused because of Fiji Airway’s booking cancellation.
Kindly be advised that the Government of Kiribati has not made any official announcement on a reopening date for Kiritimati. I can however confirm that the Government of Kiribati through the relevant authorities, is working with Fiji Airways to finalize technical requirements before international flights can resume into Kiritimati.
Once a decision is made for a reopening date, the Office of te Beretitenti will make the formal announcement (including health entry requirements) and the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) will ensure that you and all our valued tour operators are informed accordingly.
Thank you very much for your patience and continued support for Kiritimati and please feel free to contact us should you require further information.
Ko rabwa,
Petero Manufolau
Chief Executive OfficerTourism Authority of Kiribati
Takoronga Point, Betio, South Tarawa
P: +686 75125998 M: +686 73028011
E: pmanufolau@kiribatitourism.gov.ki
