Christmas after World War II

CHRISTMAS Island, the easterly outcrop of the far-flung nation of Kiribati, looks likely to get a major airport upgrading in an attempt to stimulate tourist interest. A Melbourne based consulting firm has just under taken a study of the island (also called Kiritimati), which follows a Japanese funded report which recommended ma jor development of the airport and tour ist accommodation.

Christmas Island lies about 32C0km east of the Kiribati capital of Tarawa, but is actually closer (2100 km) to Hon olulu, or three hours flying time away. It is the largest purely coral formation in the world with a land area of 388 sq km, and the island was used as an air base during World War II for refuelling Un ited States aircraft flying the long trans

pacific hops.

Air Tungaru, Kiribati’s national air line, now operates three small aircraft to fly regular services within the Gilbert group of islands. There is also a weekly jet service between Honolulu and Christ mas Island, using an Aloha Airlines 737- 200 Combi but designated as an Air Tungaru flight. The forward section of the aircraft is configured for freight, with a 60-seat passenger compartment.

The 737 Combi normally loads general freight and perishable food for the jour ney to Christmas Island, and returns with specialised fish exports, including fresh milk fish, reef and sea fish, and

crayfish.

Passengers travelling the route south from Honolulu consists of three main types: staff employed by the National Space Development Agency of Japan, which operates a satellite tracking station at Christmas Island; sports fishing en thusiasts on tour packages out of the United States, and Kiribati nationals in volved in Government or private busi ness.

Most of Christmas Island’s needs are supplied by boat; general cargo and non perishable food comes in, and copra goes out. The study said that the ships do not run to a regular schedule and are unreliable for passenger transport to other parts of Kiribati.

It outlines the major tourist attraction as being sports fishing in the inner la goons, and is mainly done by package tour visitors. Information about the is land has been spread largely by word-of mouth recommendation. “Promotional material, details, costings and booking all proved very difficult to obtain and it would appear that this largely stems from poor agency activities in Honolu lu,” Airplan reported. Birdwatching is another developing attraction.

The island’s hotel, the Captain Cook,

is described as having adequate accom modation but it did not provide the lux ury or upmarket services which would be necessary if the tourist base was ex panded beyond the fishing fraternity.

When Air Tungaru begins flying its chartered 737 Combi, the plan is for it to travel Honolulu-Christmas Island- Tarawa-Nadi one day, then the return the following day. At the moment, to get from Christmas Island or Honolulu to Tarawa requires flying from either Ma juro (Marshall Islands) or Nadi on Air lines of the Marshall Islands but this service has limited seat availability on the small twin-propellor aircraft, almost no freight space several days’ wait in Majuro for a connection, and a long flying time.

Before Aloha will allow its aircraft to fly the new service, its own and Federal Aviation Authority requirements have to be met. Cassidy Field on Christmas Is land must be fitted with runway lights and new approach equipment. At the moment, the Aloha jet often has to delay its Honolulu departure if strong tail winds might get the aircraft to Cassidy before dawn.

The airstrip on Canton Island has to be upgraded to act as an alternative landing place fuel will be stored there, and the runway will be improved,

and fire-fighting equipment installed.

Airplan reports that Aloha has also sought changes at Bonriki Airport, on Tarawa. These include new radio equip ment, new wind cones, re-sealing of parts of the runway and apron (particu larly the elimination of loose stones or

coral which could be sucked into a jet engine) and repainting on runway mark

ings.

But the consultants indicate the new jet service will bring substantial benefits.

Communication between the Line and Phoenix island groups with the govern ment centre will be greatly improved.

There will be better postal services with mail going through Fiji, as the Airlines of the Marshall Islands service cannot always accommodate mailbags if there is heavy demand for freight space. Many tertiary students go to Fiji, so the in creased capacity to that country will allow more regular travel between the two countries. The use of the Combi air craft will mean greater opportunities for exporters on Tarawa to tap the Honolu lu market.

While all the smaller island countries see tourism as one of the more possible ways in which to have economic growth, Kiribati does face problems in this re

gard. The government’s development

plan has acknowledged the country’s dis tance from the major markets, infre quent air services and the existence of more easily accessible countries with similar attractions. The government has also been concerned that the lifestyle of the people could be damaged if too many tourists came to Kiribati.

Last year, Pacific Consultants Interna tional of Japan reported on Christmas Island’s needs: a new resort hotel, re creational and marine facilities, port and harbour facilities and a better airport. It said, as well as fishing, the island should be able to offer scope for those who are looking for boating, sailing and scuba di ving. □