Cassidy International Airport, Government airport in Kiritimati, Kiribati.
Cassidy International Airport is an airport on Kiritimati in Kiribati, featuring one asphalt runway approximately 2,100 meters (6,900 feet) long situated near sea level. It serves as the main gateway to the island, connecting it to international destinations like Fiji, Honolulu, and Tarawa.
During World War II, the United States Army Air Forces used the runway as a vital refueling point on its Pacific supply route. The airport was named after a US military pilot whose aircraft came down near the island in 1942.
The airport connects visitors to Kiritimati, an island where residents keep Pacific traditions alive through dances, handicrafts, and local celebrations.
Most flights are operated by Fiji Airways, which regularly serves connections from Nadi and Honolulu, while Air Kiribati provides onward flights to other islands. Travelers should prepare for possible delays or cancellations, as the flight schedule depends on weather conditions and sea conditions.
The name was changed from Casady to Cassidy in the 1980s, correcting the spelling of the fallen pilot's name it commemorates. This renaming is often overlooked despite being a quiet correction to the airport's historical record.
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