MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
St Helena hopeful of a regular air link to South Africa following a successful proving flight
The St Helena government, a British Overseas Territory in mid Atlantic has said that a commercial aircraft completed a successful proving flight to the island. The Airlink’s Embraer E190-100IGW departed St Helena Airport on Tuesday afternoon following the main flight from Johannesburg and several flight trials before returning to South Africa. Read full article
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Disclaimer & comment rulesStrange - I have yet to meet any real St Helenian(not an expat) who is actually keen on and can see good economic benefits of a scheduled airlink with just South Africa and Johannesburg in particular.
Aug 24th, 2017 - 04:34 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Their only connection with South Africa has been with Capetown- shipping and emergency air medivacs.
As British subjects and proud of it - their natural holiday destination - where many have family relatives living - is Great Britain, likewise education and all things Governmental.
As for Tourism - the potential economic future - I was unaware that South Africans were a potential large source of well heeled tourists with any interest in things British and French historical?
Surely a far greater potential from Europe - and also via Europe potentially from North America.
But then perhaps this airport has not been built for what St Helenians want and need?
Certainly the St Helenian Govt and the FCO in London should hang their heads in 100% shame for the way they have totally ignored the needs of their citizens left stranded in the Falklands with no way home for a holiday other than a £4000 plus return airfare transitting several continents!
There was and is a simple answer - a monthly airlink from Cape Verde to Ascension and on to St Helena. then those arriving in Cape Verde can fly to and from the Falklands same as before via Ascension - and those to and from UK - multiple choices - several flights a day to Uk and other European destinations, USA,S America and Africa.
But since when ahas anyone in Dept of Int Aid ever had common sense and practical mindsets? After all the UK response to theoriginal airport fasco that lacked site wind studies before building £300million of UK taxpayers money - was to give the head of the Dept a Knighthood!!
Given how marginal the airport is, I doubt they have much choice over where the flights go. And isn't the runway on Ascension out of action till 2020? Your suggestion sounds very sensible, but there are probably factors the general public do not know about.
Aug 24th, 2017 - 10:10 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Now I'm curious though. What percentage of your tourists come on the military flight from Britain compared with the one from Chile?
Asc Airport still open- just closed to very large heavy civilian registered aircraft like the A330 as its the end of the runway that is U/S - smaller aircraft just land and take off a bit further along - it is very long as designed ti take the Shuttle as a diversion airfield in its days.
Aug 25th, 2017 - 11:31 am - Link - Report abuse 0Some of our tourists come by the MOD charter flight- but its cheaper for them to come the commercial route via Chile from UK. MOD charges a tourist non FI resident about £2200 - commercial via S America its about £1500 return- and discounts for block bookings etc like anywhere else. No discounts with MOD!
Islander 1: I am a UK expat living in Malawi. Johannesburg is a hub for us. There are potentially millions of people either in SA or using SA as a hub (like me) who would be very interested in visiting St Helena.
Aug 26th, 2017 - 06:52 am - Link - Report abuse 0Commenting for this story is now closed.
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