โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
60
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Arorae Island Airport (AIS) is a remote outerโisland airstrip in Kiribati. Facilities consist of a short runway with a small shelterโstyle terminal used on flight days for Air Kiribati services and charters. Checkโin is handled by the local agent, and passengers board on foot across the apron; arriving baggage is returned by hand near the shelter.\n\nThe layout is extremely compact and fully groundโlevel. From the village path to the shelter is under a minute, and the walk to the aircraft is 30โ60 seconds depending on stand position. There are no buses, jet bridges, or interโterminal transfers.\n\nThere is no formal passenger screening and no immigration/customs at AIS. International formalities, if part of an itinerary, are handled at hub airports such as Tarawa (TRW). Operations are weatherโ and tideโdependent; schedules may change at short notice.\n\nAmenities are minimal: basic shade and seating when staffed; there are no shops, restaurants, or ATMs. Ground transport is by foot or preโarranged vehicle/boat; bring cash and confirm transfers with local hosts.\n\nAccessibility is basic but stepโfree; community members commonly assist travelers with reduced mobility. Family facilities are limitedโcarry water, snacks, and baby supplies.
๐ Connection Tips
Allow adequate time for connections. Check with airline for specific requirements.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
75
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Butaritari Airport (BBG) serves the remote Butaritari Atoll in the Gilbert Islands of Kiribati, a low-lying coral atoll in the central Pacific Ocean. This essential airstrip is the primary link for the island community to the capital, Tarawa, providing a lifeline for mail, supplies, and inter-island travel. The 'airport' is a minimalist facility, typically comprising a coral dust or compacted sand runway, designed to accommodate small propeller-driven aircraft like those operated by Air Kiribati. There is no conventional terminal building; passengers usually gather at a very basic, often open-sided, shelter or simply wait near the runway, reflecting its role as a vital but rudimentary lifeline.\n\nOperational procedures at BBG are informal and highly dependent on visual flight rules (VFR) and local weather and tidal conditions. Air Kiribati operates scheduled services to Butaritari using smaller aircraft suitable for unpaved strips. There are no security checkpoints, baggage handling systems, or traditional check-in counters. Passengers typically interact directly with the pilot or a local agent to confirm their manifest. Flights are prone to delays or cancellations due to tropical weather patterns, including heavy rainfall, high winds, or runway conditions. The uniqueness of atoll operations means that pilots need to be highly skilled in operating from short, unpaved strips.\n\nAmenities at Butaritari Airport are non-existent. Travelers should not expect any facilities such as restrooms, food vendors, or retail shops. It is essential for visitors to bring all necessary provisions, including water and snacks, and to be prepared for the hot and humid tropical climate. All arrangements for accommodation and ground transportation within the atoll must be made in advance, as Butaritari is a small, subsistence-based community with limited public facilities. The airport's sole purpose is to provide critical air access to this isolated island community.
๐ Connection Tips
Remote coral atoll. Weather and tidal conditions affect operations.
โ Back to Arorae Island Airport