St Helena comes out fighting

Reports this week that the new airport on St Helena in the south Atlantic was unlikely to enter service any time soon were condemned on Friday by the island’s governor, Lisa Phillips.

In a statement, she said: “Press reports in the UK and elsewhere that describe St Helena Airport as being ‘scrapped’, ‘mothballed’ or ‘postponed indefinitely’ are incorrect. 

“The situation remains as in our last update. This is that there are wind shear challenges on one runway (20, the northern approach) which means larger planes (eg 737-800) cannot currently land safely. 

“We are collecting wind data which will allow larger planes to land on this runway, but this will take some time. 

“Wind shear is a factor at several airports around the world, including London City Airport, where safe landings happen every day.”

Phillips said the island government was working hard to identify an interim solution using runway 02, from the south, where there is no wind shear but there is a tailwind. 

Aircraft and airlines that could use 02 had been identified and options were being explored.

She noted that the airport is certified and open, as demonstrated by an emergency medevac by a Falcon 20 on 4 June.

www.sainthelena.gov.sh

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