St Helena Island Airport Opening Soon (pictures)

SAA201 · Tue Apr 05, 2016 7:55 pm

Here's a link to an article showing pictures inside the new airport due to open soon: http://whatthesaintsdidnext.com/2016...-new-st-helena-airport-is-amazing/

So far two operators will be serving the island:

Comair Ltd from South Africa will be using a brand new, B738 in British Airways livery, ( ZS-ZWG) on a once a week service from Johannesburg.

Atlantic Star Airlines are planning seasonal charters from Luton via Banjul, Gambia using wet-leased TUIfly (Netherlands) B738 equipment.

scutfarcus · Tue Apr 05, 2016 8:33 pm

For a building that will be used (barely) once a week this seems like pretty drastic overkill! But still, would be fun to visit!

by738 · Tue Apr 05, 2016 8:47 pm

There will plenty of GA, charters and cargo to keep it im use. Someone has surely done the sums....

TC957 · Tue Apr 05, 2016 8:52 pm

Looks just the job and really well designed - well done to all involved.
Love the fact it's got a viewing deck !

diverdave · Tue Apr 05, 2016 9:28 pm

218 Million pounds sterling (approx $340 million US) for an airport serving a population of 4,000.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-a...uch-delayed-airport_b_6360750.html

The island has very limited places for tourists to stay, so it will be interesting should a wave of tourism develop.

The airport will trigger the retirement of the RMS St. Helena.

David

eielef · Tue Apr 05, 2016 9:38 pm

It looks interesting. The stop, why it should be in BJL? ACC makes much more sense, as the route is much shorter. FNA and ROB are other destinations, and, at least until recently, they had some commercial flights to the UK. It will be interesting a BA flight on A320 on the route LHR-ACC-St Helena. Does it has a code yet?

No plans to ever open ASI for commercial passengers?
No plans to continue the flights to MPN in the Falklands/Malvinas?

2travel2know2 · Tue Apr 05, 2016 9:49 pm

Not sure of what kind of market there'll be, but perhaps a St Helena Island link to Brazil (REC) would come handy.

C010T3 · Tue Apr 05, 2016 10:05 pm

Quoting 2travel2know2 (Reply 6):
Not sure of what kind of market there'll be, but perhaps a St Helena Island link to Brazil (REC) would come handy.

I think it would make more sense to have a JNB-HLE-GIG-MPN flight. It would link both islands with each other, not zo mention that it would create optimal links to BA services in both continents.

diverdave · Tue Apr 05, 2016 10:06 pm

Quoting eielef (Reply 5):
No plans to ever open ASI for commercial passengers?

Ascension does allow visitors. It's not an easy process, but you can get there by air from the UK or by sea on the soon to be decommissioned RMS St. Helena.

Do a google search for visiting ascension island.

There are places to stay and cars for rent.

My father landed his B-25 there during WWII. It was rather exciting so to speak.

David

vv701 · Tue Apr 05, 2016 10:49 pm

Quoting eielef (Reply 5):
Does it has a code yet?

IATA code is HLE.

ICAO code is FHSH.

Thenoflyzone · Tue Apr 05, 2016 11:45 pm

Quoting eielef (Reply 5):
No plans to ever open ASI for commercial passengers?

Comair is flying to ASI from HLE once a month.

http://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/ascens...air-service-to-and-from-st-helena/

thomasphoto60 · Wed Apr 06, 2016 12:54 am

Having the pleasure of sailing aboard the RMS St Helena back in the 80s, I must say that I am a bit saddened by this. St Helena was a very unique destination and the difficulty of getting there made it all the more special. A weekly 738 flight from JNB may not sound like a big deal now, but I suspect that it will not stop there, a few short years, St Helena might look like the Canary Islands, Cancun or Fiji. I have to wonder if the good folks of St Helena have any idea on what the potential of mass tourism might do to their remote island?

YYZAMS · Wed Apr 06, 2016 3:07 am

This island is very important for the worlds internets and Britain. It will def become touristy.

RWA380 · Wed Apr 06, 2016 3:29 am

Quoting thomasphoto60 (Reply 11):
I have to wonder if the good folks of St Helena have any idea on what the potential of mass tourism might do to their remote island?

I watched an hour long special on St Helena & RMS St Helena, they spent a small amount of time on the subject of the new airport. Those that live there, are for the most part happy about it, the arrival of medical evacuation aircraft is very welcome, the commercial aspect of it, will be restrained by the availability of very few hotel rooms. From what I saw, there were not enough hotel rooms to cover a 738 worth of people. The best hotel in town is where Napoleon spent his first night on the Island. Of course I think the air service is geared with the locals in mind at first, especially with the way it is, you have to have your Christmas Goose ordered by mid October to ensure a meal. This way, a steady supply of goods & building materials will come via cargo flights out of S.A. St Helena looks like a magical place, I hope it doesn't change a great deal, the history will certainly draw those who are interested in Napoleon.

hz747300 · Wed Apr 06, 2016 4:00 am

Quoting RWA380 (Reply 13):
the history will certainly draw those who are interested in Napoleon.

Surprised the airport did not have Napoleon in the name because of that.

Anyhoo, looks like good work and nice and clean. Good luck to them, I doubt I'll ever see it other than in trip reports!

RWA380 · Wed Apr 06, 2016 4:12 am

Quoting hz747300 (Reply 14):
Surprised the airport did not have Napoleon in the name because of that

It's certainly St Helena's claim to fame, but Napoleon was there for internment & the history is more negative than positive. Even the home he spent the majority of his remaining years in, is in a very rainy part of the island & high atop, where it was shrouded with low clouds & fog often times. There are so few cars & other conveyances, that tourism will need to be very sparse for a while, there just isn't that much there, to St Helena & I from what this special I watched, showed, is the locals are alright with this aspect of their lives.

77west · Wed Apr 06, 2016 5:52 am

Quoting RWA380 (Reply 13):
From what I saw, there were not enough hotel rooms to cover a 738 worth of people.

I think I read that they will be blocking some seats for range and alternate diversion range reasons.

SKAirbus · Wed Apr 06, 2016 7:17 am

Are there plans to operate a shuttle between St Helena and Ascension Island? It would be good for two parts of the same territory to have a regular connection.

Kiwirob · Wed Apr 06, 2016 8:17 am

Quoting diverdave (Reply 4):
The airport will trigger the retirement of the RMS St. Helena.

Doubt it, RMS St Helena besidestransportimg people also brings in everything else the island needs.

JRadier · Wed Apr 06, 2016 8:38 am

Quoting eielef (Reply 5):
ACC makes much more sense, as the route is much shorter.

Yet there is also LON-ACC to consider, which is the longest stretch of the route and tricky on a narrowbody.

bjorn14 · Wed Apr 06, 2016 8:49 am

Does anybody know the exact runway length? I've seen reports from 5,400 to 6,300 ft.

77west · Wed Apr 06, 2016 9:01 am

Quoting kiwirob (Reply 18):
Doubt it, RMS St Helena besidestransportimg people also brings in everything else the island needs.

Unfortunately you are wrong, she is being retired, although no specific dates yet.

http://www.iol.co.za/travel/travel-n...e-last-voyage-1855841#.VVCQOWAqTBE

I would not be surprised, however, if another more cargo-oriented vessel takes over some of the heavy lifting that's not economical via air.

Quoting bjorn14 (Reply 20):
Does anybody know the exact runway length? I've seen reports from 5,400 to 6,300 ft.

6,300ft from what I can see from satellite images, but this was before runway marking. Wikipedia says 6,400ft.

jamesontheroad · Wed Apr 06, 2016 9:24 am

Quoting eielef (Reply 5):
It looks interesting. The stop, why it should be in BJL? ACC makes much more sense, as the route is much shorter.

I think BJL has been determined by the choice of TUIFly (NL) - they currently have flights AMS-BJL which will probably facilitate crew changes, ground support etc.

Atlantic Star Airlines face an interesting challenge here. With Comair providing BA branded flights from a BA long haul hub, will the shorter journey be enough to attract UK - HLE passengers away from BA?

GRJGeorge · Wed Apr 06, 2016 10:32 am

Quoting kiwirob (Reply 18):
Doubt it, RMS St Helena besidestransportimg people also brings in everything else the island needs.

from what I understand, the decision had to be taken to either get a new ship or the airport...as RMS St Helena is coming to the end of her lifespan?

Quoting SKAirbus (Reply 17):
Are there plans to operate a shuttle between St Helena and Ascension Island? It would be good for two parts of the same territory to have a regular connection

As mentioned in reply 10, Comair will extend the JNB-HLE once a month to ASI. Usual schedule JNB-HLE will be on Saturdays, presumably return, but once a month the flight will continue on to ASI the Saturday and then return ASI-HLE-JNB on the Sunday
Not sure if ASI will be included right from the start.
Read somewhere on another forum recently that there might be a test flight on 18 April and then plan for the scheduled service to start towards the end of May.

JRadier · Wed Apr 06, 2016 11:35 am

Quoting bjorn14 (Reply 20):
Does anybody know the exact runway length? I've seen reports from 5,400 to 6,300 ft.

Full AIP (which isn't much..) is available here http://www.atns.co.za/atm.php?id=113

Zombus · Wed Apr 06, 2016 12:01 pm

Quoting thomasphoto60 (Reply 11):
I am a bit saddened by this. St Helena was a very unique destination and the difficulty of getting there made it all the more special.

Normally I'm quite happy with enything related to the further development of aviation, but the age of aviation coming to St. Helena is something different altogether. Ofcourse, it'll be a superb improvement of logistics for the locals, but I fear for the unique character of the island. The new airport reduces St. Helena's practical isolation substantially, thereby opening it up for all kinds of less welcome outside influences, some of which may not be desireable at all. (Mass) tourism is just one of those.

r2rho · Wed Apr 06, 2016 12:11 pm

Quoting diverdave (Reply 4):
218 Million pounds sterling (approx $340 million US) for an airport serving a population of 4,000.

218 million is a pretty good deal for an airport, specially being built in a remote location. You can't get a 737-capable airport for much less than that. And at LHR that money would buy you maybe half of a high speed runway exit

The main purpose of an island airport is not economic profitability, but social profitability, as well as other strategic considerations (supply line). We can argue over the last two, specially any effects of increased tourism, but profitability is not the factor by which this airport should be measured.

Quoting 77west (Reply 21):
Unfortunately you are wrong, she is being retired, although no specific dates yet.

http://www.iol.co.za/travel/travel-n...e-last-voyage-1855841#.VVCQOWAqTBE

I would not be surprised, however, if another more cargo-oriented vessel takes over some of the heavy lifting that's not economical via air.

I doubt the island will become fully supplied by air with a 737. Some other vessel must surely take its place.

kalvado · Wed Apr 06, 2016 12:54 pm

Quoting Zombus (Reply 25):
Normally I'm quite happy with enything related to the further development of aviation, but the age of aviation coming to St. Helena is something different altogether. Ofcourse, it'll be a superb improvement of logistics for the locals, but I fear for the unique character of the island. The new airport reduces St. Helena's practical isolation substantially, thereby opening it up for all kinds of less welcome outside influences, some of which may not be desireable at all. (Mass) tourism is just one of those.

It is definitely nice to say that being near major highways, and within a reach of a major hub. How would you feel if your local city is isolated to preserve it's unique character, highways and airport are permanently closed - and it takes at least a week to get anywhere out of town?

vv701 · Wed Apr 06, 2016 1:31 pm

Quoting r2rho (Reply 26):
I doubt the island will become fully supplied by air with a 737. Some other vessel must surely take its place.

Yes. The 738 flight will last 5.5 hours. Further the St Helena runway is only 6,100 feet long. It is limited to such by the available land.

As a result the maximum passenger uplift will be to 120 per flight. There will also be a flight engineer on every flight. He or she will have access to a stock of parts on St Helena. Cargo will also be limited. So sea freight will continue to be important to the islanders.

diverdave · Wed Apr 06, 2016 1:50 pm

Quoting VV701 (Reply 28):
As a result the maximum passenger uplift will be to 120 per flight. There will also be a flight engineer on every flight. He or she will have access to a stock of parts on St Helena. Cargo will also be limited. So sea freight will continue to be important to the islanders.

The ship home page has a link to name the new cargo ship that will replace the RMS St. Helena.

http://rms-st-helena.com/

David

kalvado · Wed Apr 06, 2016 2:18 pm

Quoting r2rho (Reply 26):

I doubt the island will become fully supplied by air with a 737. Some other vessel must surely take its place.

Going into marine world - but why a specific ship has to be designated for the route, as opposed to fracht of a cargo ship as required at that time? Is there anything special about St. Helena port that requires a specialized vessel?

BaconButty · Wed Apr 06, 2016 2:37 pm

Quoting diverdave (Reply 29):
The ship home page has a link to name the new cargo ship that will replace the RMS St. Helena.

"We're launching a new cargo ship servicing St Helena and would like your help in choosing a name, vote for your favourite"
What could possibly go wrong?
Edit: Nevermind, it's multiple choice Smile

[Edited 2016-04-06 07:39:13]

flymia · Wed Apr 06, 2016 2:43 pm

Very interesting, always been fascinated by isolated islands like this.

Quoting kalvado (Reply 30):
Going into marine world - but why a specific ship has to be designated for the route, as opposed to fracht of a cargo ship as required at that time? Is there anything special about St. Helena port that requires a specialized vessel?

There is no reason now with the airport coming. Before the airport there was a reason as the ship needed to be cargo + passenger.

diverdave · Wed Apr 06, 2016 2:44 pm

Quoting kalvado (Reply 30):
Going into marine world - but why a specific ship has to be designated for the route, as opposed to fracht of a cargo ship as required at that time? Is there anything special about St. Helena port that requires a specialized vessel?

The new cargo ship will be just a cargo ship.

The current RMS St. Helena carries both passengers and cargo. When the air service begins, aircraft will take over the passenger transport duties.

David

B737900 · Wed Apr 06, 2016 3:04 pm

For an excellent overview of St Helena, Google 'Globe-Trekker St Helena'. It's on PBS in the US. Saw it recently. Good discussion on the Island and the building of the airport.

StuckinCMHland · Wed Apr 06, 2016 3:52 pm

Quoting diverdave (Reply 4):

Quoting diverdave (Reply 4):
218 Million pounds sterling (approx $340 million US) for an airport serving a population of 4,000.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-a...uch-delayed-airport_b_6360750.html

The island has very limited places for tourists to stay, so it will be interesting should a wave of tourism develop.

The airport will trigger the retirement of the RMS St. Helena.

David

I heard there is quite a market for arsenic down there

lychemsa · Wed Apr 06, 2016 4:28 pm

I think the RAF have a flight. Very expensive.

vv701 · Wed Apr 06, 2016 4:30 pm

Quoting kalvado (Reply 30):
Going into marine world - but why a specific ship has to be designated for the route, as opposed to fracht of a cargo ship as required at that time? Is there anything special about St. Helena port that requires a specialized vessel?

St Helena does not have a port! Freight is unloaded by a crane on the ship onto a floating deck quite a long way from the shore. There's a photo of this towards the end of the link provided by diverdave in Reply 4.

Apart from the need for the ship to be equipped with a crane to unload the freight there is another possible reason for having a dedicated vessel. Currently the RMS St Helena only plies between St Helena and Cape Town. I doubt that the loss of its passenger traffic and the addition of the freight required to support any tourists during their stay on the island will result in much if any change to the current timetable / service.

United787 · Wed Apr 06, 2016 4:49 pm

Quoting VV701 (Reply 37):
St Helena does not have a port! Freight is unloaded by a crane on the ship onto a floating deck quite a long way from the shore. There's a photo of this towards the end of the link provided by diverdave in Reply 4.

I thought they built one so they could bring in construction equipment and materials for the construction of the airport.

http://www.sainthelenaaccess.com/news/photos/

Called Rupert's Wharf and the associated access road...

rlwynn · Wed Apr 06, 2016 5:10 pm

Quoting thomasphoto60 (Reply 11):
A weekly 738 flight from JNB may not sound like a big deal now, but I suspect that it will not stop there, a few short years, St Helena might look like the Canary Islands, Cancun or Fiji. I have to wonder if the good folks of St Helena have any idea on what the potential of mass tourism might do to their remote island?

There are no beaches on St Helena. Just rocks and cliffs.

PATristar · Wed Apr 06, 2016 5:38 pm

Baggage claim area without conveyor belts, even for a 100 pax lfight will be a little messy.

Ideekay · Wed Apr 06, 2016 5:49 pm

Quoting United787 (Reply 38):

Quoting VV701 (Reply 37):
St Helena does not have a port! Freight is unloaded by a crane on the ship onto a floating deck quite a long way from the shore. There's a photo of this towards the end of the link provided by diverdave in Reply 4.

I thought they built one so they could bring in construction equipment and materials for the construction of the airport.

Called Rupert's Wharf and the associated access road...

Yes they are building a permanent wharf which will have capacity for one cargo ship to dock at a time

LH748 · Wed Apr 06, 2016 6:10 pm

Looks cute and I like the light and modern design.
Hoping to read a nice trip report of a St. Helena flight soon.
I'm wondering how many more airports will be built until BER opens, if that might ever happen

Kiwirob · Wed Apr 06, 2016 6:20 pm

Quoting GRJGeorge (Reply 23):
rom what I understand, the decision had to be taken to either get a new ship or the airport...as RMS St Helena is coming to the end of her lifespan?

Air can't supply the island with fuel and other essential commodities to keep the community viable.

Kiwirob · Wed Apr 06, 2016 6:31 pm

Quoting diverdave (Reply 33):
The new cargo ship will be just a cargo ship.

I just read about the new ship, she will have passenger cabins as well.

diverdave · Wed Apr 06, 2016 6:42 pm

Quoting KiwiRob (Reply 44):

I just read about the new ship, she will have passenger cabins as well.

Do you have a link? I couldn't find any details. I was assuming there would not be cabins as the trips this summer are being advertised as the "last chance."

Quoting VV701 (Reply 37):
Currently the RMS St Helena only plies between St Helena and Cape Town.

It often goes to Ascension Island as well. And its final voyages will include Tenerife and UK Port wherever that might be.

http://rms-st-helena.com/schedules-fares/

Quoting lychemsa (Reply 36):
I think the RAF have a flight. Very expensive.

the RAF flights are to Ascension, and then you can board the RMS St. Helena for the final leg of the journey.

David

MD80Nut · Wed Apr 06, 2016 7:48 pm

I'm also fascinated by remote locations like St. Helena. Since the place has no beaches to attract traditional tourism, I figure any tourism will be more "eco-tourism" than anything else. Or people who really, really want to get away from it all. With only one weekly 737-800 flight, the island is less likely to be overrun with tourists and locals get quicker access to the outside world.

I think it's a win-win for them. I wish them well in their new era.

Cheers, Ralph

SAA201 · Wed Apr 06, 2016 7:54 pm

A news release issued today states that the first jet aircraft, a Challenger 300, is due to land on the island on 10 April for the purposes of various audits.

This will be followed approximately one week later by a Comair B738 doing an implementation flight.

The full news release is here:
http://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/first-...raft-to-land-at-st-helena-airport/

afterburner33 · Wed Apr 06, 2016 8:03 pm

Quoting MD80Nut (Reply 46):

I'm also fascinated by remote locations like St. Helena. Since the place has no beaches to attract traditional tourism, I figure any tourism will be more "eco-tourism" than anything else. Or people who really, really want to get away from it all. With only one weekly 737-800 flight, the island is less likely to be overrun with tourists and locals get quicker access to the outside world.

Or amateur radio enthusiasts. Having said that, having an airport will actually make St Helena less attractive to them.

I have a colleague who is a ham radio geek. He has been to both Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, which is administratively part of St Helena and Ascension, but is one of the most remote islands in the world. The trip to Ascension was on an RAF Voyager from RAF Brize Norton, whereas the trip to Tristan involved a commercial flight from LHR-CPT, and then a 10 day sea voyage on a freighter. A long way to go.

Speaking of Tristan da Cunha, I wonder if they'd get more visits from an RMS St Helena replacement than they had been previously. I know RMS St Helena used to visit there semi regularly, but had only done so rarely in the past few years.

[Edited 2016-04-06 13:08:12]

2travel2know2 · Wed Apr 06, 2016 11:00 pm

Quoting afterburner33 (Reply 48):
Speaking of Tristan da Cunha,

An airport on that island, that'd really be such a challenge... Would make the construction of HLE look like a far too easy task.

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