Article from BTNews 12 DECEMBER 2016
Another step for St Helena
Moves to bring the new airport on St Helena into service have taken another step forward with the arrival of an Embraer ERJ 190-100 operated by Embraer Commercial Aviation on a non-commercial trial and demonstration flight.
The jet, flying from Recife, used the airport over a three-day period, carrying 11 crew including two SA Airlink pilots, and made a smooth landing on Runway 02, followed by test landings and take-offs.
The St Helena government said in a statement: “As planned, the Embraer aircraft completed a variety of landings, take-offs and circuits.
“This flight generated considerable real-time data which, together with a pilot’s report, will help St Helena Airport to build a more comprehensive picture of the conditions under which we will be asking a scheduled air service to operate. Embraer will be submitting a full report shortly.”
St Helena has now begun the process of procuring an air-service provider or providers to operate regular air services, including a direct link between St Helena and Ascension Island, with a minimum of a weekly year-round flight to a recognised international hub airport or an airport with direct connections to the UK or South Africa.
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