The Kiribati government says the decision by Air Pacific to suspend flights to Christmas Island was made suddenly.
Air Pacific, the only international airline that flies into Christmas Island, is stopping the flights over the state of the runway.
Permanent secretary for Communications and Transport Kietau Tabwevweiti says they are aware of the airline's concerns.
But he says the government's priority is now to conduct its own study on the runway.
"We dont know how long it will take. But we want to assure everybody we'll try and push ahead and try and complete at least a study which will enable us to decide our position or our stand on the issue and we'll try and complete that study as soon as possible so that we can make a stand and then proceed on if necessary into the more crucial requirement to undergo any repair or maintenance work on the runway."
Kietau Tabwevweiti says they are now looking at other airlines which might start an interim service.
