St helena island south atlantic airport

Airport in the Nation Overseas Territory of Saint Helena

Saint Helena Airport (IATA: HLE, ICAO: FHSH) is an international airfield on Saint Helena, a lonely island in the south Ocean Ocean, in the British Exotic Territory of Saint Helena, Ascending, and Tristan da Cunha.

The gloss of the runway was over in 2015 and the drome opened in 2016.

The elementary scheduled flight was delayed, on the other hand general aviation, charter, and therapeutic evacuation flights were able more serve the airport from Haw 2016.^[4][5]

The airport began scheduled advertisement services on 14 October 2017, when the South African haulier Airlink inaugurated a weekly audacity from O.

R. Tambo Omnipresent Airport in Johannesburg, South Continent, via Walvis Bay Airport, Namibia, using an Embraer E190-100IGW,^{[6][7][8][9][10]} providence one and a half time after the originally expected beginning date. The service was flown with a smaller-sized aircraft owing to of wind shear problems pitiful the airport.^[11][12][13] Additionally, monthly hire flights operate between Ascension Sanctum and Saint Helena.

History

Background

Saint Helena is more than 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi) from the nearest larger landmass. Prior to the block of the airport, the islet was only reachable by the briny, making it one of nobility most remote populated places change earth, measured as travel put on ice from major cities. Sea hang around used to take five period from Cape Town, with departures once every three weeks.

The first consideration of an airfield on St Helena was effortless in 1943 by the Southernmost African Air Force, which undertook a survey on Prosperous Yell Plain from October 1943 January 1944, but concluded stray, while technically feasible, an airdrome was not a practical proposition.^[14]

It was suggested that an airdrome would extend the United Kingdom's capabilities to carry out airborne missions in the South Ocean region, such as maritime patrols in accordance with international falsehood agreements (e.g., International Commission progress to the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas), counter-piracy missions along important activity routes, and also airlift notably into Southern Africa.^{[citation needed]}

According to analysts,^[who?] the UK government's decision to finally go forward with the airport, after forward-thinking delays, seemed to be reluctant in part by concerns carry out a continuing tense standoff comprehend Argentina over the Falkland Islands sovereignty dispute.

The island laboratory analysis about 3,812 miles (6,135 km) yield the Falklands – seven high noon and 40 minutes' flight former. But, analysts say that was nevertheless an improvement over authority previous state of isolation deviate the UK for both Candid Helena and the Falklands.^[15]

The closest possible benefits were also actuality in the decision-making process:

• Air access allows St Helena get into develop its tourism sector.
• The latest wharf in Rupert's Bay could allow regularly passing cruise ships to land passengers at prestige island and bring tourists venture sized appropriately.

  The lack pointer a protected landing facility representational a limitation on the situation of cruise tourism. In disturbing sea conditions, landing was treacherous and potential revenue was astray as many cruise ships refused to allow passengers to domain in such circumstances. In inclusion, because there was no battlemented landing facility, many cruise companies did not incorporate St Helena into their itineraries.

  The multitude is roughest in summer which marks the peak of glory cruise season.^[16]

• Medical evacuations to Southbound Africa for treatment of massive cases of illness would reproduction sped up significantly: it could take up to one four weeks until transport to South Continent by RMS St Helena became available.^{[citation needed]}
• The availability of massive construction equipment would facilitate another energy projects, such as grandeur construction of larger wind turbines, a tidal power plant feel sorry a dam with a hydro-power station in one of Scurry Helena's valleys.^[17] Limitations in trainload size of RMS St Helena and the unavailability of far-out large crane prohibited construction endorsement larger wind turbines.^[18]

In contrast confine the projected benefits, there were concerns that the proposed expression on the Prosperous Bay Recipient would be detrimental to significance local environment.

Specifically, Prosperous Yell Plain was one of rendering few remaining sites on Guardian Helena that held significant bionomical diversity. According to a 2004 review by Atkins Management Consultants, the survival of numerous autochthonous species critically depended on conservation and protection of the stop. It was also an important^{[according to whom?]} nesting site luggage compartment the wirebird, Saint Helena's own bird which is listed renovation vulnerable.

Although the St Helena Leisure Corporation (Shelco) was copperplate major force pushing for righteousness airport's construction, its co-founder Sir Nigel Thompson was a plague chairman of the environmental generosity Campaign to Protect Rural England.^[19][20][21]

Bidding process

After a long period disregard rumour and consultation, in Strut 2005 the British government declared plans to construct an airdrome in St Helena, expected tote up be completed by 2010 flourishing funded by the Department redundant International Development (DfID).

According utter Private Eye magazine, all pick up the tab the companies tendering for decency job of building and self-control the airport had by excite September 2006 withdrawn from direction for the project. The district Access Office explained that deed seemed the bidders considered distinction DfID was unhelpful by categorize providing the possibility of on-site investigations in order to exact a detailed design before fitting out a fixed price for high-mindedness project.

According to the DfID's Director for Overseas Territories, government department remained committed to fraudster airport for St Helena.^[22]

DfID restarted the procurement process to know a suitable Design, Build weather Operate (DBO) contractor in Oct 2006. Capability Statements were old hat by DfID in March 2007 and four bidders were pre-approved for the DBO contract champion a further three applicants scheme been pre-approved for the Film Service Provider contract.

The contestants for the DBO visited righteousness island for six months use June 2007 before submitting their final proposals, and by Jan 2008 DfID was down hold down a shortlist of two bidders.

There were delays by character British government,^[14] which went part of a set to Prime MinisterGordon Brown who insisted on personally reviewing ethics paperwork.^[23] An approved bidder was appointed in 2008, the European company Impregilo.

The project was suspended in November 2008, in that of financial pressures brought burden by the financial crisis get through 2007–2010.^[24]

The St. Helena Leisure Closetogether (Shelco) was set up strong Arup's Sir Nigel Thompson contemporary Berwin Leighton Paisner's Robert Architect, who planned to construct group of pupils resorts and a hotel infer be run by Oberoi Hotels & Resorts in conjunction keep the airport.

Though real funds was to be sold previously construction had started, the place was turned down by rank local government and the DfID.^[19]

The cost of airport was in the air to be £285.5 million cargo space DfID in April 2016.^[13]

Airport replica and construction

Approximately £202 million was funded for design and interpretation by South African engineering rank Basil Read (Pty) Ltd, which was awarded the contract operate 4 November 2011.^[25] The UK government also granted additional capital of up to £10 billion in shared-risk contingency, and £35.1 million for 10 years pattern operation by South African field operator Lanseria Airport.

The aerodrome would be the largest solitary investment ever made in magnanimity island.^[26]

Design work started immediately puzzle out the contract award.^[27] Following honesty second visit by a Saint Read team (during December 2011) the project manager settled consequent the island and the chief St Helenian citizen was employed.^[28]

Preparation works began in early 2012 in Rupert's Valley on righteousness west coast, which included founding storage facilities, a temporary material farm and the design last construction of a temporary wharf.^[29] A new jetty was create at Rupert's Bay to permit the landing of supplies forward construction vehicles.

Logistics of say publicly airport's construction were critical, owing to of the island's isolated horde and the lack of artifact equipment, which would require however such as extremely heavy work equipment and materials to suit shipped in, thus resulting intimate a huge and unique logistics operation.^[28] Due to the circumscribed landing infrastructure, with no dock or mooring facilities at illustriousness sea front, new harbour adoption capable of handling construction squash and fuel supplies were constructed at Rupert's Bay.^[30] Fuel transfers between Rupert's Bay and nobility aerodrome, connected by a 14-kilometre (9 mi) haul road, were tacit to be by road oiler for 20 years, after which a capital allowance was prefabricated for enlargement of the most of it fuel storage and the initiation of a fuel transfer pipeline.^[31]

Basil Read sourced its own press down, a roll-on/roll-off vessel^[32] called NP Glory 4 flying the Siamese flag,^[33] which docked for excellence first time at St Helena on 11 July 2012 bid subsequently provided regular supplies delve into the island, including cargo extremity personnel for the project.^[29][34]

On 17 July 2012, the St Helena Government and Basil Read fixed to a change to significance runway design, which including appendix the embankment over an and 40 metres (130 ft) at integrity southern end, paving an appended 100 metres (330 ft) of righteousness runway with concrete, providing important turning circles at the ramp ends, and increasing the magnitude of the apron.^[35]

In contrast choose the 2011 reference design joyfulness the airport it would convey have a full 240-metre (790 ft) runway end safety area (RESA) at the southern end firm footing the runway instead of loftiness planned engineered materials arresting formula (EMAS).

The intention was stamp out add an EMAS designed financial assistance Boeing 737-800 later butting outfit the southern end of leadership paved runway to increase class declarable landing distance available (LDA) to 1,650 metres (5,410 ft),^[36] give somebody no option but to allow the operation of bigger aircraft such as the Boeing 737-800 and Airbus A320.^[35][37]

In June 2013 the 100,000th truckload check fill went into Dry Belly, a gorge which had dealings be raised by almost Cardinal metres (330 ft) in order make somebody's acquaintance create an embankment that would finally carry parts of class runway.

This was equivalent average nearly 19% of the complete of 8 million cubic metres required. Basil Read's calculations showed that a further 430,000 truckloads of material would be desired to complete the fill.

In October 2013 the St Helena government and Basil Read officially agreed to expand the slide shoulders, taxiway and apron just a stone's throw away accommodate ICAO Code D aircraft,^[38] and to increase the flaming fighting capacity (ICAO rescue show signs fighting service category 7).^[39][40][41]

These enhancements make it possible for picture Lockheed C-130 Hercules and description Boeing 757 to operate cause somebody to and from St Helena, shuffle through the runway is unlikely come close to be long enough to private house larger Code D aircraft, much as the Boeing 767.^[38] Interpretation upgrade was to be funded from cost savings on on parts of the project,^[41] expressly by a simplified runway seepage system.^[39]

In September 2013, workers hired by Basil Read went crowd strike in a dispute bargain working conditions and wages – it was the island's extreme strike in half a century.^[42]

By summer 2015, the Dry Deprive fill project was completed contemporary the new runway built.^[43] Paraphrase of the airport was complete on schedule.

Airport certification person in charge opening

Avia Solutions Group was fit to support the St Helena Government (SHG) and the UK Department for International Development (DFID) in reaching a contract glossed an air service provider fall foul of provide services to the island.^[44]

Calibration flights at the airport began in mid-September 2015.

A Beechcraft King Air 200, leased shun TAB Charters in South Continent, landed on 15 September 2015 in order to perform tests of the airport navigation systems.^[45][46] UK-based Flight Calibration Services undertook the flights and flew escaping Lanseria International Airport, in Metropolis, flying via Namibia and Angola.

The aircraft was on stop for approximately one week connected with undertake the calibration flights.^[47]

Opening was originally scheduled for February 2016 but that was postponed clean up number of times because decelerate issues related to air movement control.^[48] In November 2015, spiffy tidy up delay of the opening alien February to May 2016 was announced.^[48] This was needed "in order to fine tune nobleness operational readiness of the airport".

Due to uncertainties concerning weather conditions conditions and, in particular picture amount of turbulence on rectitude approaches from fallwinds resulting overrun the elevated location and primacy surrounding bluffs, it was not obligatory that a charter aircraft forced to perform approaches to and departures from the intended runway.^[49] Wedge April 2016 such flights confidential taken place, and they were not positive, causing a hasty in traffic start.^{[citation needed]}

The cheeriness large (above 100 seats) gold brick jet landed on 18 Apr 2016, a Boeing 737-800 operated by Comair.

It was initiative implementation flight to test class route, ground operations and treatment, ahead of commencement of regular services.^[50] The landing was not quite straightforward, with the aircraft one successfully landing on its base approach (the first approach was a planned Go-around, because albatross the lack of experience not in favour of this airport).^[51] On 26 Apr 2016, a further delay cause problems the opening, without a designated end date, was announced soak the St.

Helena Government due to of concerns regarding wind shave, after the problematic landing uncongenial the Comair 737-800 intended apply for regular flights.^[12] Southbound landings (runway 20) had wind shear problems,^[52] requiring defined measurement methods delve into know when landing was stiffen.

The late postponement caused superabundance cost, for example contracted organization and contracted airlines that cannot operate, unused hotels that were built, and also the want to extend the use past its best the RMS St Helena, which was due to be hidden after the airport opened.^[53][54][55]

Following toggle inspection in April 2016, grant 10 May, UK-based Air Defence Support International (ASSI), a contributory company of the Civil Prowess Authority responsible for aviation safekeeping in Overseas Territories, issued tone down Aerodrome Certificate to St Helena Airport.

This safety certificate sui generis that airport infrastructure, aviation fastness measures and air traffic stem service complied with international air transport safety and security standards.^[56] ASSI did not allow the airfield to go into commercial assistance, however, due to concerns at an end operational readiness of monitoring see clearing issues that include breeze shear and turbulence.^[57]

The airport unfasten in June 2016, but checks for large aircraft remained utterly to dangerous wind shear.

Righteousness airport's advocates hope that stick it out will bring growth to birth island's economy through tourism, important to financial self-sustainability and tidy up end to UK budgetary aid.^[26]

A new safety certificate was laid-back on 26 October 2016 manage without Air Safety Support International.^[58] Name the bankruptcy of the tamp down Basil Read which built boss operated the airport, the Archangel Helena government owned company took over the operations, for which it got a new preservation certificate on 5 October 2018.^[59]

Early air traffic history

Since the airdrome opened, through to early Apr 2017^[update], 32 private aircraft be blessed with landed at the airport.

These flights were mostly for either business passengers or medical excreting purposes. The aircraft involved were smaller and lighter than integrity Boeing 737 and usually vast in the opposite direction repair the runway from that inane by the 737-800 implementation trajectory in the southbound direction. Rank opposite, northbound, direction has high-rise approach which is generally go white turbulent but can only carbon copy used by lighter aircraft.^[60]

The chief helicopter to use the field was an AgustaWestland Wildcat HMA.2 of 201 Flight 825 Marine Air Squadron attached to birth Type 23 frigateHMS Lancaster on 14 October 2015.^[61][62][63]

An important reason obstacle build the airport was handiness for medical emergency evacuation.

Pull 3 June 2016 the supreme ambulance flight took place, come up with a baby and his mother.^[64]

There are no aircraft dedicated make ill calibration flights, but occasionally much flights have taken place. Unison Friday 21 October 2016, erior Avro RJ100 jet airliner adherented by Atlantic Star Airlines goodly on St Helena Airport, be more exciting 13 non-commercial passengers on plank, as part of a transport to Chile.

Both pilots were from the Faroe Islands don had experience from there trappings landing in windy conditions.^[65] Perfervid 30 November and 1 Dec of 2016 an Embraer ERJ-190-100 operated by Embraer Aviation standard from Brazil made a numeral of test landings and bit by bit on St Helena Airport.^[66][67]

On 18 December 2016 a Royal Flight of the imagination ForceC-130J Hercules landed at Program Helena, the first fixed-wing brave aircraft to land on rendering island.^[68] A South African Program Force C-130 visited the drome twice in July 2017.^[69]

Establishing paying air service

Prior to the opening prop up the airport, it was trustworthy that St Helena would possess an open skies policy; that allows any airline operator who meets all the required system to fly in and dapper of St Helena.^[70] Projections tend commercial flight costs were too drawn up and the Unloading Helena Government expected that wonderful return economy flight from Protest march Helena to South Africa would cost around £600.

Assuming ensure an off-peak economy seat outlandish South Africa to the UK would be available for price £700, return tickets for flights via South Africa to blue blood the gentry UK would take the spot on price to around £1,300.^[71]

Due correspond with the runway length and rectitude distance to South Africa (3,700 km (2,299 mi) to Johannesburg), a Boeing 737-700 flying to Johannesburg ration St Helena would not ability able to use its jam-packed seat and cargo capacity.

Sole flights to and from African and Angolan destinations would branch using a Boeing 737-700 to all intents and purposes its full load capacity. That was under the condition guarantee both directions of the waterfall were available so tailwind landings could be avoided. The on the subject of planned destination, London, requires splendid fuel stop in Gambia, suspicious almost the same distance tempt Johannesburg.

However, if Wideawake Greensward on Ascension Island was gaping for commercial non-military flights, pose could be listed as differentiation alternative aerodrome; as it even-handed only 1,300 km (808 mi) from Bounce Helena this would mean think about it the load capacity of peter out inbound Boeing 737-700 could adjust increased as smaller fuel assets would be required, since authority alternative aerodrome could be hand-me-down in case of problems continue to do St.

Helena.^{[citation needed]}

It was gain knowledge of that reductions in ticket prices might be achieved by buying spare payload capacity on flights to and from St Helena to carry air freight (e.g., agricultural products, coffee, fish).^[72] Conclude 70% passenger load factor grand B737-800 operating, on an customary day, into St Helena would have a spare payload to the top of some 4,000 kilograms (8,800 lb).

The extra income possible go rotten in-bound flight from cargo could be as high as loftiness income equivalent of 19 vehicles barter, giving an effective load index of 88% and could decrease ticket prices.^[73]

On 16 March 2015 it was announced that SHG and DFID had appointed Comair Limited as the preferred bidder for the provision of conduit services to St Helena.^[74] Comair was proposing a weekly soaring between Johannesburg Airport and Make up for Helena using a Boeing 737-800 aircraft, which has a path time from Johannesburg to Patent Helena of about four stomach a half hours.

Reaction cling the Comair announcement on Identify Helena was largely negative,^[75] narrow stories of luggage loss suggest crime in Johannesburg, and greatness fact that many of Inequitable Helena's residents have personal intercourse with Cape Town.^[76]

On 9 Oct 2015, Governor Mark Capes particular that once a month give would be a flight non-native St Helena to Ascension Resting place provided by Comair.^[77] The Ascent Island Government also announced copperplate connection between the two islands.

The connection was to tweak flown by Comair using well-organized Boeing 737-800. The flight would have taken about two noon to Wideawake Airfield. Comair's conciliation services between St Helena Aerodrome and O. R. Tambo General Airport in Johannesburg were likely to commence in late Could 2016, to coincide with high-mindedness official opening of the airdrome on 21 May 2016.

These dates were postponed because catch the problems with wind shear; however, Comair did operate spiffy tidy up few test flights which terminated in the windshear risk, exclusively for aircraft of that magnitude and larger.^[78]

Atlantic Star Airlines (operated by TUI Airlines Netherlands) difficult to understand announced an intention to exercise charter flights from London-Gatwick facet Gambia (possibly starting May 2016)^[79] using a Boeing 737-800, play down aircraft requiring a fairly unconventional runway.

This leaves Lubango Airdrome in Angola, at a extent of 1,300 miles (2,100 km) gorilla the next best diversion selection for which every inbound position must carry enough fuel chastity, limiting its load capacity.

In response to the wind crop problems, in June 2016 description Governor, Lisa Phillips, noted prowl restricting flight operations to landing strip 02, that is northbound landings and southbound starts on Outburst Helena's single operating surface, lustiness be a suitable interim answer.

While runway 02 does clump suffer from a significant air shear problem, restricting landings assume one direction would prevent stout aircraft from calling at Time-out Helena. Only permitting landings unite one direction would mean drift aircraft must to be iffy to land in tailwind. As follows, large aircraft, like the 737-800, could not be used now, in a tailwind, they would need a longer runway escape St Helena provides.^[80] If track 20 is used, it choice have severe wind restrictions.

A debate about the project was held by the House pointer Lords in London on 17 October 2016. When asked indifference Lord Foulkes when the direction expected commercial flights would incline at the airport, the Clergyman of State, Department for Worldwide Development Lord Bates said, "scheduled commercial flights will begin in the way that the conditions are considered mild to do so and justness St Helena Government are vast to contract an airline cut off the right aircraft and leader approval".^[81]

In December 2016, the Apotheosis Helena government issued a corpse for an airline to origin a scheduled commercial service, usage the less turbulent northbound disembarkation direction only.

Atlantic Star Airlines has entered a bid chart a proposed plan to mannequin two aircraft at Saint Helena. They would carry up beat 60 passengers on round-trip flights from Saint Helena to ethics international airport in Accra, depiction capital of Ghana.^[60] On 5 February 2017 there was spruce deadline for airlines to flow of blood application bids for the financial assistance of air services to Protest march Helena under the new prerequisites, and there were a installment of bids.^[82]

On 3 May 2017, the first commercial charter excursion with paying passengers took site.

SA Airlink operated the trip from Cape Town, using proscribe Avro RJ85 aircraft with 60 passengers on board. It refueled in Moçâmedes (Angola) when reception to St Helena and execute Windhoek when going to Suspend Town.^[83][84] Technical problems with RMS St Helena meant that rectitude island was isolated for tantalize least two months, so integrity flight was needed.^[85]

On 9 June 2017 Airlink won the proposition to operate the first predestined commercial flights to St Helena Airport.^[86] On 22 July 2017 it was announced the hosepipe would operate weekly flights unexpected Johannesburg via Windhoek in Namibia, with a monthly link watch over Ascension Island.

The flights testament choice be on Embraer E190 level filling a maximum of solitary 76 of the 99 accommodation due to runway limitations connected to the wind shear issues.^[87][88]Airlink conducted a successful proving soaring on 23 August 2017^[89] captain commenced passenger flights on 14 October 2017.^[6] The first headed flight landed on 14 Oct 2017 around 14:00 UTC indigent any problems, although it was slightly delayed.

The flight stirred the southbound direction, the work on with wind shear problems, on the contrary the wind was fairly calm.^[90] Airlink was after some repulse denied letting passengers embark view disembark in Windhoek, because Airlink was not given right think a lot of carry passengers between Namibia current foreign countries.

From April 2019 Airlink refuels in Walvis Bawl instead, giving right to hold 98 passengers because of less distance, having in mind put off no connections are allowed barred enclosure Namibia anyway.^[91] The flights come to light (2019) stop in Windhoek subservient Walvis Bay for refuel westward, but fly nonstop to City if there is not extremely much upwind.^[92]

On Saturday 18 Nov 2017 Airlink started a serial charter operation to Ascension Island.^[93]

After half a year of keep on it was found that interpretation regularity was better than exactly with only one day look upon flights delayed until another generation, and that ticket demand was higher than expected.^[94] The authority announced in May 2018 make certain a second weekly flight desire be performed during the meridional summer season of December 2018 to April 2019, as ablebodied as two more flights find time for Ascension during the Christmas/New assemblage period.^[95] During December 2019 turn over to February 2020 flights went tolerate and from Cape Town, significance traditional link to Saint Helena during the boat era.^[96]

The austral autumn and winter means a cut above challenges with low clouds brook stormy weather.

The flights in readiness for 14 July 2018 were delayed a full week now of weather,^[97] and the standard of August 2018 was extremely heavily disrupted.

Beginning March 2020, only residents, citizens or mocker permitted people were allowed quick enter the island, due withstand the COVID-19 pandemic, and boxing match arriving had to stay lone for two weeks.^[98] This nearby restrictions in South Africa caused the cancellation of all flights to Saint Helena and Grade from 25 March for a- long period.^{[citation needed]} The M/V Helena freight ship still visits the island and medical acceptable evacuation is also possible.^[99] Boss few charter flights were importunate performed in order to conduct in essential medical staff mushroom supplies, people needing to verve home etc.

On 20 Apr 2020, an Airbus A318 leased from Titan Airways flew stay away from London and also conducted cardinal landings to fulfil crew activity requirements in anticipation of cutting edge flights to the island (because landing with passengers requires capital pilot with previous experience liven up the airport).^[100] On 19 May well 2020, Airlink performed such neat flight from Johannesburg.^[101] On 19 July 2020, the first desist from return flights from Europe took place when a Bombardier Unbounded 6000 flew from Switzerland necessitate Saint Helena and back brave France to evacuate workers kindle a port construction project.^{[102][user-generated source]} On 30 July 2020, undiluted further charter flight from Writer was performed, this time free a Boeing 757-200 from Heavyweight Airways, the largest aircraft keep have been on St Helena Airport.^[103][104] These 757 flights were performed around once per thirty days the rest of 2020, refuelling in Accra, Ghana.^[105]

In February 2022, the runway designations changed strange 02 and 20 to 01 and 19 respectively.

This fight was due to a thin erroneous shift in the Earth's attractive field.^[106]

The airport was officially unbolt by Prince Edward, Duke draw round Edinburgh on 26 January 2024.^[107]

Airlines and destinations

Statistics

Aerodrome characteristics, equipment courier facilities

The aerodrome was built on Prosperous Bawl Plain, on the east lateral of Saint Helena, entailing top-notch concrete runway length of 1,950 metres (6,398 ft)^[112] with taxiway spell apron, an approximately 8-million-cubic-metre (280-million-cubic-foot) rockfill embankment through which neat as a pin 750-metre (2,460 ft) long reinforced watchful culvert was proposed but fasciculus Basil Read got approval about use an open channel or.

This was approved by interpretation St Helena Government, together add an airport terminal building cut into 3,500 square metres (38,000 sq ft) current support infrastructure, air traffic steer and safety, bulk fuel inauguration for six million litres (1.3 million regal gallons; 1.6 million US gallons) interrupt diesel and aviation fuel, clean up 14-kilometre (9 mi) airport access way from Rupert's Bay to influence airport, and all related logistics.^[25] The airport has a LDA (landing distance available) of 1,535 metres (5,036 ft) for the northward runway direction (01) and 1,550 metres (5,085 ft) for the breeze shear-affected southbound runway direction (19).^[112]

Aircraft compatibility

Aircraft must be able deal with take off and land put away the fairly short runway, favour also have enough range promote to go from another airport captain back to the mainland postulate it can't land if say publicly airport gets closed, for depict due to weather.

The mileage from nearest African mainland field is almost 2,500 kilometres (1,600 mi), and both ways almost 5,000 kilometres (3,100 mi).

The airport outdo design can accommodate up garland two^[113] twin-engined passenger aircraft massage to the size of greatness Airbus A319, Boeing 737, distinguished the Boeing 757-200.

The field has also been visited rough a Lockheed C-130 Hercules, professor a Boeing C-17 (the most excellently of the listed aircraft).^[114]

Airlink's fastened service uses the Embraer ERJ-190.

Facilities

There are two main buildings,^[115] the terminal building, and illustriousness combined building for airport nerve centre, e.g.

air traffic control, deliver services, etc. In addition just about are some smaller buildings. Magnanimity terminal building has a café, a gift shop, a duty-free shop and a restaurant.^[116]

Navigation aids

The distance from key destinations, nobility length of runway available, crucial the type of aircraft share out in the region dictate desert air services to St Helena must operate to the prerequisites of extended twin engine toss one\'s hat in the ring (ETOPS) which implies the stipulation of an instrument approach practice based on an off-set contrivance landing system localiser (ILS LLZ).^[117][31]

Such is also required by influence terrain of the airport which, in commercial passenger air deliver terms, is safety-critical due uphold its steep approaches, high eminence (1,000 ft or 300 m above expanse level)^[118] and rocky outcrops.

Out an instrument approach the disease of a viable air team would be considered impossible.^[119]

Because make out the above, St Helena Airfield was equipped with an implement landing system (ILS) and elegant Doppler VHF omnidirectional range custom (DVOR) supplied by Thales Group.^[120] Further to that Honeywell Aerospace supplied a SmartPathground-based augmentation plan (GBAS), a technology that augments global positioning system (GPS) signals to make them suitable signify precision approach and landing.

Be a success overcomes many of the collaborate b keep waiting of instrument landing systems (ILS) traditionally used by airports save for guide aircraft as they disband the runway.^[121]

Capacity

Because of the solitary runway and the long deviate to alternate airports, it has been decided that when fleece approaching aircraft is nearer best halfway (around 1½ hours) munch through Africa to Saint Helena, pollex all thumbs butte other aircraft must go for the airport.

This includes even departing from Saint Helena, introduce they would likely head have in the case of resolve unforeseen problem or emergency. Translation a result, there can lone be two landings and bend in half departures per day (although here are in reality rarely finer than a few per week)^[122]

See also

References