Air Kiribati, an airline operating in South Tarawa, on a small island in the Pacific, this week took delivery of the first E190-E2 in its fleet, registration VH-IKJ.
The E190-E2 will enable the airline from the Republic of Kiribati, located in the central Pacific region, to fly longer domestic and international routes than those currently performed with the turboprop fleet.
Air Kiribati is the launch operator for the E190-E2 in the Asia-Pacific region (excluding China).
With a maximum range of up to 2.850 nautical miles, the E190-E2 can operate over the vast expanse of Kiribati, including one of the most challenging routes in the Pacific, from Tarawa straight to Kiritimati (Christmas) Island, a route that currently includes a international stop in Fiji.
The company has ordered two Embraer E190-E2 aircraft, with purchase rights for two aircraft of the same model.