Flight Destinations
Flights to Christmas Island
Places in Kiribati
Flights to Africa
Flights to Asia
Flights to Australia
Flights to Caribbean
Flights to Central America
Flights to Europe
Flights to Indian Ocean
Flights to Middle East
Flights to North America
Flights to Pacific Islands
Flights to South America
Not to be confused with the Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean, the Christmas Island of the Pacific Ocean is part of the Republic of Kiribati, and is known locally as Kiritimati. It has been a popular destination because it is the first place on earth to see in each New Year because the date line was moved so that it became the world’s furthest forward time zone!
Although this has been a popular tourist destination, the lack of flights to Christmas Island right now puts this popularity in jeopardy. The international airport, called Cassidy International Airport (airport code: CXI) is not capable at this time of receiving flights because the runway has become damaged and there is not enough money available to repair it. Air Pacific was offering two weekly flights to Christmas Island (Kiritimati), though these were suspended in 2008 because of the deteriorating runway. Kiribati’s national airline, Air Kiribati, would happily offer flights from the country’s only operating international airport if they owned any planes capable of flying this far (see below for an explanation). So, getting to Christmas Island at this time is only possible via boat, but even this would be a long journey.
Kiribati is an island nation which consists of 32 atolls and one island. These are located within three main island groups called the Gilbert Islands, the Line Islands and the Phoenix Islands. The only operating international airport at this time is located in the Gilbert Islands and is called Bonriki International Airport, however Christmas Island is located within the Line Islands which are approximately 2000 miles east of the Gilbert Islands. That’s about the distance from London to Cyprus, and hence a very long way!
The warm tropical climate means that Christmas Island is great to participate in all three of these activities. Visitors interested in scuba diving will find there is plenty to see under the water here as Christmas Island is actually the largest coral atoll in the world. However access to some areas is restricted because the island is also one large wildlife sanctuary.
Visitors interested in wildlife spotting and the ecology of Christmas Island will find there is a lot to see here. Over 35 bird species have been seen here, many of whom are seabirds.
Although this has been a popular tourist destination, the lack of flights to Christmas Island right now puts this popularity in jeopardy. The international airport, called Cassidy International Airport (airport code: CXI) is not capable at this time of receiving flights because the runway has become damaged and there is not enough money available to repair it. Air Pacific was offering two weekly flights to Christmas Island (Kiritimati), though these were suspended in 2008 because of the deteriorating runway. Kiribati’s national airline, Air Kiribati, would happily offer flights from the country’s only operating international airport if they owned any planes capable of flying this far (see below for an explanation). So, getting to Christmas Island at this time is only possible via boat, but even this would be a long journey.
The Geography of Christmas Island
It may sound funny to potential visitors not familiar with the geography of Christmas Island and Kiribati as a whole that the national airline doesn’t have planes capable of flying the distance from one airport to another, but there is a very good reason for this!Kiribati is an island nation which consists of 32 atolls and one island. These are located within three main island groups called the Gilbert Islands, the Line Islands and the Phoenix Islands. The only operating international airport at this time is located in the Gilbert Islands and is called Bonriki International Airport, however Christmas Island is located within the Line Islands which are approximately 2000 miles east of the Gilbert Islands. That’s about the distance from London to Cyprus, and hence a very long way!
The Tourist Attractions of Christmas Island
If you can manage to find your way to Christmas Island somehow, you will find that there are basically four attractions – scuba diving, fishing, admiring the nature, and relaxing on a beach!The warm tropical climate means that Christmas Island is great to participate in all three of these activities. Visitors interested in scuba diving will find there is plenty to see under the water here as Christmas Island is actually the largest coral atoll in the world. However access to some areas is restricted because the island is also one large wildlife sanctuary.
Visitors interested in wildlife spotting and the ecology of Christmas Island will find there is a lot to see here. Over 35 bird species have been seen here, many of whom are seabirds.