St Helena's Airport: An Island's Gateway To The World

St Helena Airport (HLE) is an airport on the island of St Helena, one of the most remote and challenging territories in the world. The construction of the airport began in 2011, and it was certified for operations in 2016. The airport has a short runway, which limits the airlines that can operate there. Due to wind shear problems, there are also restrictions on large aircraft. The airport has proven to be beneficial for medical emergency evacuations and tourism. Commercial air services to St Helena commenced in 2017, with regular flights to South Africa and Ascension Island.

Construction of the airport

The Saint Helena Airport, also known as the Saint Helena International Airport, is a greenfield airport constructed in the British Overseas Territory of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean. The airport is owned by the Saint Helena Government (SHG) and operated by Basil Read in partnership with Lanseria Airport as part of a ten-year contract. The airport project was approved by the UK Government in 2011, with construction starting in 2012 and the airport opening in 2016. The first scheduled commercial flight landed in October 2017.

The construction of the airport was a complex and challenging endeavour due to the island's isolated location and the lack of construction equipment and infrastructure. The logistics of transporting all the necessary materials and equipment to the island were a significant undertaking. A new wharf was constructed at Rupert's Bay to facilitate the unloading of construction equipment and fuel supplies. Additionally, a 14km access road was built to connect the airport to Rupert's Valley.

The design and construction contract for the airport was awarded to South African engineering group Basil Read (Pty) Ltd in November 2011, with a total cost of £201.5 million. The contract included an additional £10 million in shared-risk contingency and £35.1 million for ten years of operation. The UK government also granted up to £10 million in shared-risk contingency funds and £35.1 million for ten years of operation by Lanseria Airport. The airport is the largest single investment ever made on the island.

The airport features a 1.95km-long concrete runway, capable of accommodating Code C aircraft such as the Boeing 737-700 or Airbus 319. The runway has a landing distance (LDA) of 1,550m, a takeoff run available (TORA) of 1,850m, a takeoff distance available (TODA) of 2,775m, and an accelerate-stop distance available (ASDA) of 1,850m. The runway design was modified in July 2012 to include a wider embankment, a longer paved area, larger turning circles, and an increased apron size.

The construction of the airport faced some challenges, including a strike by workers in September 2013 over working conditions and wages. Additionally, there were concerns about the environmental impact of the construction on the Prosperous Bay Plain, a site of significant ecological diversity and an important nesting site for the wirebird, Saint Helena's national bird. Despite these challenges, the airport was completed on schedule, and it is hoped that it will bring economic growth and financial independence to the island.

Operational challenges

St Helena Airport HLE opened in 2016, but it has faced a number of operational challenges since its construction. Firstly, the airport can only accommodate small aircraft due to its short runway. This limits the airlines that can operate at the airport, as larger aircraft require a longer runway.

Secondly, the airport has faced significant wind shear and turbulence issues, which have impacted flight operations and safety. In 2016, the Governor, Lisa Phillips, suggested restricting flight operations to runway 02 as a possible solution. However, this would prevent large aircraft from landing at the airport and require aircraft to be able to land in a tailwind, further limiting the types of aircraft that could operate at the airport.

Thirdly, the airport is only certified to operate during daylight hours. This means that flights must depart within a narrow window of time, typically between 3 pm and 4 pm, to ensure they can return to the airport before dark in case of an emergency. Obtaining night certification is a complex and costly process that requires additional staffing and training.

Another challenge is the remote location of the airport, which presents logistical difficulties in importing and transporting essential materials and equipment. Obtaining 'ETOPS approval' for twin-engine aircraft to make long oceanic crossings in the event of an engine failure is also a lengthy and expensive process, further limiting the number of airlines that can operate at the airport.

Lastly, the airport's financial viability is a concern. Due to the limited number of flights and passengers, the airport is unlikely to reach a break-even point, requiring ongoing subsidies from the St Helena Government and other sources. Despite these challenges, the airport has facilitated medical evacuations and increased tourism, contributing to the growth of the island's economy.

Wind shear problems

St Helena Airport (HLE) has been dubbed "the world's most useless airport" due to its wind shear problems. Wind shear is caused by sudden changes in horizontal velocity at certain levels, which create large airspeed fluctuations as aircraft climb or descend. These conditions are further exacerbated by the mountainous terrain surrounding the airport.

The airport was originally set to open in May 2016, but the opening was postponed due to wind shear problems, which made it too dangerous for aircraft, particularly large ones, to land. In June 2016, the Governor, Lisa Phillips, suggested restricting flight operations to runway 02 (northbound landings and southbound starts) as an interim solution. However, this would have prevented large aircraft from using the airport, as they require a longer runway than St Helena can provide.

The wind shear problems have resulted in only small aircraft being allowed to operate into St Helena, with larger aircraft facing severe wind restrictions. This has impacted the airport's ability to accommodate commercial flights and led to increased flight costs and ticket prices. The optimum weather window for landing is around lunchtime, and flights must depart and return within daylight hours, further limiting the airport's accessibility.

Some have suggested constructing a "wind wall" to alleviate the wind shear issue, but this idea has been met with skepticism, as it could create additional turbulence and make the problem worse. The wind shear problems at St Helena Airport have resulted in financial losses, with the airport being underutilized and requiring a larger subsidy from the government.

Medical emergency evacuation

St Helena Airport (HLE) opened in June 2016, with the first ambulance flight taking place on 3 June 2016 for a baby and its mother. The airport was built to aid the island in several ways, one of which was to provide an option for medical emergency evacuations.

The airport has faced several issues since its opening, including dangerous wind shear, limited runway length, and the inability to accommodate large aircraft. These issues have resulted in restrictions on large aircraft and higher ticket prices due to higher flight costs per passenger. The optimum time for landing at the airport is around lunchtime, and flights must depart between 3 pm and 4 pm to ensure they can return to the airport before dark in the event of an emergency.

The St Helena Government (SHG) has been working to address these challenges and improve the airport's operations. They have implemented emergency response plans, coordinated with the Airport Authority for emergency planning, and are studying the possibility of night certification. Additionally, the SHG has been liaising with private agencies to coordinate resources and ensure the safety and well-being of the island's communities and infrastructure.

In the case of a medical emergency evacuation, the SHG has demonstrated its ability to respond swiftly and efficiently. In January 2016, the RMS St Helena arrived earlier than scheduled to transport patients off the island for emergency medical treatment. The ship then diverted to Walvis Bay, Namibia, to connect with a specialist ambulance flight to Cape Town. The successful coordination of this medical evacuation highlights the SHG's preparedness and ability to handle emergency situations effectively.

Commercial air services

St Helena Airport (HLE) opened in June 2016, but dangerous wind shear conditions meant that restrictions on large aircraft remained in place. The airport finally received a safety certificate on 26 October 2016, and commercial air services commenced on 14 October 2017, with a weekly flight to South Africa and a monthly flight to Ascension Island. The airport also handles private and charter flights and technical stops by aircraft travelling between South America and southern/western Africa.

The airport was built by Basil Read, a South African construction company, and is owned and operated by the St Helena government. It is highly regulated and maintains the highest industry standards, with regular monitoring and evaluation. The construction of the airport was a challenging project, requiring the mobilisation of a workforce and logistics to the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean. Essential materials had to be imported and transported to the site, and a 14km road was built to access the airport's remote, 'greenfield' location.

The airport has improved access to the island, facilitating tourism and the growth of the local economy. It has also been used for medical emergency evacuations, with the first ambulance flight taking place in June 2016. The short runway limits the airlines that can operate at the airport, and the optimum weather window for landing is around lunchtime. Flights must be specially equipped and have pilots trained to land at the airport, and they must adhere to Extended Twin Engine Operations (ETOPS) regulations, which can be costly and time-consuming to obtain.

The airport currently offers twice-weekly flights between Johannesburg and St Helena, with discussions ongoing to resume additional flights to and from Cape Town. The St Helena Government is also investigating night certification to increase the number of flights that can service the airport.

Frequently asked questions