South Pacific carriers are hopeful that Christmas Island in Kiribati will be able to take over from Johnston Atoll as an extended range twin engine operations (ETOPS) alternative for routes from Australasia and Fiji to Hawaii by the end of this year. The US Air Force is closing its base at Johnston Atoll at the end of December, putting services such as Air Pacific's Boeing 737-800 operation from Fiji to Hawaii in jeopardy (Flight International, 3-9 June).
A recent meeting was held in Fiji between the civil aviation authorities of Fiji and Kiribati, Boeing and operators Air New Zealand, Air Pacific, Polynesian Airlines and Qantas, to discuss upgrading Christmas Island as an ETOPS alternative. "The airlines, Boeing and governments in the South Pacific are in contact with US authorities to see if it is feasible for the equipment from Johnston to be moved to Christmas as a donation from the US government," says John Campbell, chief executive of Air Pacific.
Source: Flight International