(Quite the contrast from this sneak peek of what will be the world’s biggest airport.) St Helena Airport. [55], Since the airport opened, through to early April 2017[update], 32 private aircraft have landed at the airport. The volcanic island’s new flight zone has been dubbed the “world’s most useless airport.” (Unlike this airport voted “best in the world” five years in a row.).

Still, the British government had been talking about building an airport on the island since the 1930s. Beginning March 2020, only residents, citizens or other permitted people were allowed to enter the island, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and all arriving had to stay isolated for two weeks. The St. Helena Leisure Corporation (Shelco) was set up by Arup's Sir Nigel Thompson and Berwin Leighton Paisner's Robert Jones, who planned to construct luxury resorts and a hotel to be run by Oberoi Hotels & Resorts in conjunction with the airport. [95] The M/V Helena freight ship still visits the island and medical air evacuation is also possible.

In 1999, this was taken up by the island government. International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, right to carry passengers between Namibia and foreign countries, "St Helena : VISITORS TO ST HELENA HIGHLIGHTS IN 2018", "Aerdrome Chart – ICAO: St Helena. [30] Construction is said to take place over a 48-month period.[31]. The intention was to add an EMAS designed for Boeing 737-800 later butting onto the southern end of the paved runway to increase the declarable landing distance available (LDA) to 1,650 metres (5,410 ft),[108] to allow the operation of larger aircraft such as the Boeing 737-800 and Airbus A320. However it still cannot use the full seat and cargo capacity. Both pilots were from the Faroe Islands and had experience from there with landing in windy conditions. The opposite, northbound, direction has an approach which is generally less turbulent but can only be used by lighter aircraft. The applicants for the DBO visited the island for six months from June 2007 before submitting their final proposals, and by January 2008 DfID was down to a shortlist of two bidders. As such it will remain open and ready to support the Island’s community.

[107], In June 2013 the St Helena government announced it was again assessing changes to the design of the runway to cater for operations of a wider range of aircraft, in particular the Lockheed C-130 Hercules and the Boeing 757-200, the latter enabling direct flights to Europe, crucial for the island's tourism plans.

The genesis of St Helena Airport has been almost as turbulent as the notorious wind shear that plagues it. [106] However, on 17 July 2012, the St Helena Government and Basil Read agreed to a change to the runway design, which including widening the embankment over an additional 40 metres (130 ft) at the southern end, paving an additional 100 metres (330 ft) of the runway with concrete, providing larger turning circles at the runway ends, and increasing the size of the apron. The extra income possible per in-bound flight from cargo could be as high as the income equivalent of 19 passengers, giving an effective load factor of 88% and could reduce ticket prices. [47] On 26 April 2016, a further delay to the opening, without a specified end date, was announced by the St. Helena Government because of concerns regarding wind shear, after the problematic landing by the Comair 737-800 intended for regular flights. St Helena Airport is the conduit through which support for the Island’s residents can be maintained during this very challenging period in the Island’s history. air traffic control, rescue services, etc. [107][109], The additional earthworks and concrete increased duration of construction by 12 weeks so works were expected to be completed by 25 February 2016. the UK government's decision to finally go ahead with the airport, after long delays, seems to be driven in part by concerns over a continuing tense standoff with Argentina in the Falkland Islands sovereignty dispute. For instance, one of the few large, flat areas was a breeding ground for the endangered wirebird, so builders couldn’t risk that population. Vous n'avez pas de compte? Airlink decided to use a Brazilian Embraer E190 which is more compatible than larger aircraft with tailwind landings. [90] The government announced in May 2018 that a second weekly flight will be performed during the southern summer season of December 2018 to April 2019, as well as two more flights to Ascension during the Christmas/New year period.

Though real estate was to be sold before construction had started, the proposal was turned down by the local government and the DfID. The new wharf in Rupert's Bay could allow regularly passing cruise ships to land passengers at the island and bring tourists if sized appropriately. [52] ASSI did not allow the airport to go into commercial operation, however, due to concerns over operational readiness of monitoring and clearing issues that include wind shear and turbulence. [25], A new safety certificate was delivered on 26 October 2016 by Air Safety Support International. [86] Airlink was after some time denied letting passengers embark and disembark in Windhoek, because Airlink was not given right to carry passengers between Namibia and foreign countries. An IATA airport code is a three-letter code designating many airports around the world (including St. Helena), defined by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Saint Helena Airport (IATA: HLE, ICAO: FHSH) is an international airport on Saint Helena, a remote island in the south Atlantic Ocean, in the British Overseas Territory of Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da …

[citation needed] A few charter flights were still performed in order to bring in essential medical staff and supplies, people needing to get home etc.

With the Cape Town ship shutting its doors in February, locals will need the airport to leave, too—and it has already come in handy. The hope was that a plane route would bring tourism so the government could start giving less aid. [27] The first representatives of Basil Read visited the island on Saturday, 19 November 2011 for initial investigations and discussions.

On 22 July 2010 the British government agreed to assist in payment for the new airport. Due to uncertainties concerning weather conditions and, in particular the amount of turbulence on the approaches from fallwinds resulting from the elevated location and the surrounding bluffs, it was recommended that a charter aircraft should perform approaches to and departures from the intended runway. [34] Fuel transfers between Rupert's Bay and the aerodrome, connected by a 14-kilometre (9 mi) haul road, were assumed to be by road tanker for 20 years, after which a capital allowance was made for enlargement of the bulk fuel storage and the installation of a fuel transfer pipeline.[35]. The local Access Office explained that it seemed the bidders considered the DfID was unhelpful by not providing the possibility of on-site investigations in order to complete a detailed design before providing a fixed price for the project.