MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Milestone for St Helena Airport: certification for aviation safety and security standards

Certification is an ongoing process, with this Aerodrome Certificate replacing the first version which was valid until 9 November 2016.

A milestone for St Helena Airport was achieved on Wednesday 26 October 2016, with Air Safety Support International (ASSI) issuing a second Aerodrome Certificate to St Helena Airport - having been satisfied that the Airport infrastructure, aviation security measures and air traffic control service complies with international aviation safety and security standards.

 These re-issued approvals supersede the previous versions and will remain in force until 9 May 2017. St Helena Airport will receive the official, detailed audit report from ASSI at the beginning of November.

Certification is an ongoing process, with this Aerodrome Certificate replacing the first version which was valid until 9 November 2016.

In November 2011, St Helena Government signed a Design, Build and Operate (DBO) contract with Basil Read (Pty) Ltd. The contract included £201.5 million for the design and construction of the airport, an additional amount - of up to - £10 million on shared risk contingency and £35.1 million for ten years of operation.

The project aims to provide air services to St Helena, fulfilling the UK Government’s commitment to maintaining access to the Island, and provide it with a real opportunity for economic growth through tourism.

Both the St Helena Government and the UK Government hope that this will lead to eventual financial self-sustainability for St Helena.