An airport for St Helena?
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An airport for St Helena?
Dear Friends
The decision on air access to this last outpost is getting closer. A very good summary of the struggle is to be found on www.shelco.sh which was last updated on 18th October. Well worth a read before it is updated! St Helena is the island of Napoleon's last imprisonment and is S15 57 W05 39 and in terms of having an interesting historical past and sub-tropical climate is very like Norfolk Island in D&G. But far, far more remote. Alas in all the dithering and pontificating the brilliant idea of Shelco's engineers to build a twin runway, single-use configuration is probably now too expensive. The shorter runway with a clear approach and a manageable cross-wind component would have been landing only; the longer runway direct into the trade winds would have been take-off only. If there is to be an airport at all there will have to be a compromise (can't allow these business chappies to put one over on Whitehall, now can we!) necessitating massive RESAs at either end, bigger than anywhere else even though the trade winds blow in only one direction and thus blowing the costs through the roof. As an ETOPs destination it will be serviceable only by B737 & A319 types fitted with extra tanks a la BBJ/ACJ in lieu of full cargo space and therefore 50-100 seats. But it can be done and at last Shelco is being treated as an inward investor building on St Helena's unique tourist attractions. And no longer (if the airport does get built) will islanders in urgent need of major surgery simply have to grin and die. Thanks very much to Captain Chambo and Ozexpat who might now realise why a St Helenian Aussie has been pestering them awhiles!
Regards
enicalyth
The decision on air access to this last outpost is getting closer. A very good summary of the struggle is to be found on www.shelco.sh which was last updated on 18th October. Well worth a read before it is updated! St Helena is the island of Napoleon's last imprisonment and is S15 57 W05 39 and in terms of having an interesting historical past and sub-tropical climate is very like Norfolk Island in D&G. But far, far more remote. Alas in all the dithering and pontificating the brilliant idea of Shelco's engineers to build a twin runway, single-use configuration is probably now too expensive. The shorter runway with a clear approach and a manageable cross-wind component would have been landing only; the longer runway direct into the trade winds would have been take-off only. If there is to be an airport at all there will have to be a compromise (can't allow these business chappies to put one over on Whitehall, now can we!) necessitating massive RESAs at either end, bigger than anywhere else even though the trade winds blow in only one direction and thus blowing the costs through the roof. As an ETOPs destination it will be serviceable only by B737 & A319 types fitted with extra tanks a la BBJ/ACJ in lieu of full cargo space and therefore 50-100 seats. But it can be done and at last Shelco is being treated as an inward investor building on St Helena's unique tourist attractions. And no longer (if the airport does get built) will islanders in urgent need of major surgery simply have to grin and die. Thanks very much to Captain Chambo and Ozexpat who might now realise why a St Helenian Aussie has been pestering them awhiles!
Regards
enicalyth
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enicalyth,
Fascintating story.
"The Minister, Clare Short, remained unmoved, explaining to her officials that the ‘whole point’ of her formula was to incentivise the St Helena Government into helping themselves for once, by learning to co-operate with the private sector."
Sounds a bit like what happened at MNI, but to be fair to the islanders there, DFID were not exactly helpful in their efforts to rebuild the tourist trade, as they kept on trying to issues false warnings about the risks the volcano posed to respiratory health.
"Shelco’s selected aircraft to be operated by St Helena Airways, the B737-BBJ, which Boeing have confirmed will be able to operate the full proposed route network including direct non-stop services to London, Paris and the Falklands."
According to CIA factbook, the island's population is 7,415, and the proposals talk about opening up one "eco-hotel" resort - working with the Eden Project would certainly make it interesting.
How economically sustainable is this, and is there really demand for flights from St Helena to the Falklands, or even PAR?
There are plenty of other island outposts with tiny landing strips, so it seems strange that the "only option" is a non-stop flight to London, or are there just no other realistic tech stop options (Lagos???).
Fascintating story.
"The Minister, Clare Short, remained unmoved, explaining to her officials that the ‘whole point’ of her formula was to incentivise the St Helena Government into helping themselves for once, by learning to co-operate with the private sector."
Sounds a bit like what happened at MNI, but to be fair to the islanders there, DFID were not exactly helpful in their efforts to rebuild the tourist trade, as they kept on trying to issues false warnings about the risks the volcano posed to respiratory health.
"Shelco’s selected aircraft to be operated by St Helena Airways, the B737-BBJ, which Boeing have confirmed will be able to operate the full proposed route network including direct non-stop services to London, Paris and the Falklands."
According to CIA factbook, the island's population is 7,415, and the proposals talk about opening up one "eco-hotel" resort - working with the Eden Project would certainly make it interesting.
How economically sustainable is this, and is there really demand for flights from St Helena to the Falklands, or even PAR?
There are plenty of other island outposts with tiny landing strips, so it seems strange that the "only option" is a non-stop flight to London, or are there just no other realistic tech stop options (Lagos???).
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G’day jabird,
Paris – Yes. The attraction is Napoleon and Longwood House was gifted by the UK in perpetuity to France. Well-heeled US and French citizens do the Napoleon trail in substantial numbers already. Research suggests that if the fares were lowered from luxury liner cruise costs to viable airfare costs more people could afford it and would do it.
London – Yes. We have connexions despite the bad times and we have an English outlook on life and English currency, laws etc.
We are blacker skinned than any African or Caribbean but as England's last and remotest colony ruled by a Governor in ostrich plumes, white jacket and striped trousers we are prisoners of our colonial past and present. English to the core. Ahmoast, ma'an.
Andrew Weir Shipping at http://www.aws.co.uk/raf_flights/ will show you that the 3800nm from Brize Norton to Ascension Island is charged at £928 per adult apex return. That gives you an idea what the market will bear.
As for the Falklands route I overstressed tourism. Please remember that many of us work there. So the need is for air access from home rather than having to wait for a sea-journey once a blue moon to Ascension and consequent loss of already low wages.
So on St Helena you will find more like 4500 people being largely supported by 1500 expatriot earning maybe £5000 a year on menial work. Nevertheless Saints remit money to the old and young at home and out of what is left have to pay for travel. So we need the shortest distance between the place of work and home.
You will find Saints at work for service industries, as communications people for such as the BBC, Merlin, C&W and also with contractors to the US and UK armed forces in England, Ascension, Antigua, Fort Lauderdale, the Falklands, Recife, South Africa and Namibia. But always at lower pay rates.
Shelco is not the only potential airline, just one of many, but is prominent in its wish to see the Saints prosper and not just provide tax-free perks for English expats which has been the case throughout the whole island employment history.
Some of these air access routes are touristy but some are plain old-fashioned connexions with day-to-day business and human needs. Which brings me back to humane necessities. If you fall seriously ill on St Helena and major surgery is required, you die. And instead of scrimping and saving for years to make a sea-passage home (or abroad to work now that the British passports withdrawn by Maggie Thatcher have been restored) at huge cost and for weeks on end, (such as only the wealthy can afford), Saints will likely find the cost of air travel manageable.
Landing strips are not on, I’m afraid. This is ETOPs country and the airport etc has to be to world class standard in terms of runway, obstacles, navaids, emergency services etc.
London is not the only option but it is one that will generate tourists and that is why Shelco wish to fly it as a flagship route. Just like they have identified Paris. But Saints have close ties with South Africa, Namibia and all the other places I’ve mentioned.
Outfits such as Virgin and Air Luxor (Portugal) are well-connected in the region (especially the latter) and are expanding or would like to. These airlines and others compete for the lucrative UK-Ascension-Falklands franchise. Air Luxor currently hold the deal and are very ambitious (as a visit to their website and various articles in the industry press will show).
Thanx for being an interested reader jabird. Hopefully it will not end in tears as it usually does.
..... Now,
plo an ollies aw plo an cawsell?
(Would you like a little chicken curry and a beer?)
Paris – Yes. The attraction is Napoleon and Longwood House was gifted by the UK in perpetuity to France. Well-heeled US and French citizens do the Napoleon trail in substantial numbers already. Research suggests that if the fares were lowered from luxury liner cruise costs to viable airfare costs more people could afford it and would do it.
London – Yes. We have connexions despite the bad times and we have an English outlook on life and English currency, laws etc.
We are blacker skinned than any African or Caribbean but as England's last and remotest colony ruled by a Governor in ostrich plumes, white jacket and striped trousers we are prisoners of our colonial past and present. English to the core. Ahmoast, ma'an.
Andrew Weir Shipping at http://www.aws.co.uk/raf_flights/ will show you that the 3800nm from Brize Norton to Ascension Island is charged at £928 per adult apex return. That gives you an idea what the market will bear.
As for the Falklands route I overstressed tourism. Please remember that many of us work there. So the need is for air access from home rather than having to wait for a sea-journey once a blue moon to Ascension and consequent loss of already low wages.
So on St Helena you will find more like 4500 people being largely supported by 1500 expatriot earning maybe £5000 a year on menial work. Nevertheless Saints remit money to the old and young at home and out of what is left have to pay for travel. So we need the shortest distance between the place of work and home.
You will find Saints at work for service industries, as communications people for such as the BBC, Merlin, C&W and also with contractors to the US and UK armed forces in England, Ascension, Antigua, Fort Lauderdale, the Falklands, Recife, South Africa and Namibia. But always at lower pay rates.
Shelco is not the only potential airline, just one of many, but is prominent in its wish to see the Saints prosper and not just provide tax-free perks for English expats which has been the case throughout the whole island employment history.
Some of these air access routes are touristy but some are plain old-fashioned connexions with day-to-day business and human needs. Which brings me back to humane necessities. If you fall seriously ill on St Helena and major surgery is required, you die. And instead of scrimping and saving for years to make a sea-passage home (or abroad to work now that the British passports withdrawn by Maggie Thatcher have been restored) at huge cost and for weeks on end, (such as only the wealthy can afford), Saints will likely find the cost of air travel manageable.
Landing strips are not on, I’m afraid. This is ETOPs country and the airport etc has to be to world class standard in terms of runway, obstacles, navaids, emergency services etc.
London is not the only option but it is one that will generate tourists and that is why Shelco wish to fly it as a flagship route. Just like they have identified Paris. But Saints have close ties with South Africa, Namibia and all the other places I’ve mentioned.
Outfits such as Virgin and Air Luxor (Portugal) are well-connected in the region (especially the latter) and are expanding or would like to. These airlines and others compete for the lucrative UK-Ascension-Falklands franchise. Air Luxor currently hold the deal and are very ambitious (as a visit to their website and various articles in the industry press will show).
Thanx for being an interested reader jabird. Hopefully it will not end in tears as it usually does.
..... Now,
plo an ollies aw plo an cawsell?
(Would you like a little chicken curry and a beer?)
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Thanks!
I wanted to visit Saint Helena two years ago, but my gf didn't want to - I wanted to see it before the tourists got there.
The UK government have treated the island terribly over the years.
I wanted to visit Saint Helena two years ago, but my gf didn't want to - I wanted to see it before the tourists got there.
The UK government have treated the island terribly over the years.
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the runway?
Enny, G'day!
The proposede runway you so bitterly complain about is down to the say so of ASSI not ASA and has stonking great ravines at either end hence 300m RESA and not 240. A remote island is not the place to have a runway incident. Besides 275m is available for use in take-off and assuming that the minima for category is 300+1400+300 then you have 1675 metres to use in take-off and 1400 metres to land. Not much for 65 tons is itYou are not suggesting Norfolk's piddling little RESAs and ravines are ideal are you? the other thing is runway width. With twin runways can you have a different width for the take-off direction and the landing direction? That would cut costs. And in the ITCZ do these trade winds never reverse then?
The proposede runway you so bitterly complain about is down to the say so of ASSI not ASA and has stonking great ravines at either end hence 300m RESA and not 240. A remote island is not the place to have a runway incident. Besides 275m is available for use in take-off and assuming that the minima for category is 300+1400+300 then you have 1675 metres to use in take-off and 1400 metres to land. Not much for 65 tons is itYou are not suggesting Norfolk's piddling little RESAs and ravines are ideal are you? the other thing is runway width. With twin runways can you have a different width for the take-off direction and the landing direction? That would cut costs. And in the ITCZ do these trade winds never reverse then?
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a veiled criticism?
Hi h_g!
I think that we met at NLK? Whatever happens there is for the authorities to decide and GR to implement under the Island Administration.
While the Islands have many similarities they have many more dissimilarities. If you gently mock our attempts at air access through a comparison with NLK you do neither island a favour.
Anyway I cant remember posting 300+1400+300 for the runway, that must have come out in conversation over lunch when I explicitly said 90 (+ 60 threshold displacement for obstacle clearance) + 1620 + 240 was adjudged by most participants to be perfectly acceptable and on Arup's alignment not Phoney Robinson's.
The issue at NLK is one of resurfacing and extending the RESAs over sidelong ground with either one or two roadway portals for road traffic. There are no other alignments possible.
Nevertheless the NLK airport procedures are not inherently unsafe (and if as I suspect you are an F100 pilot there is a third issue of your airline conducting flights under domestic rules whereas the kiwis go international oceanic despite being nearer). ((Are the GPS DAPs effective yet? Do you still fly to 90nm and turn back for Brisi if the mists are bad?)) However the ZHH plates are potentially unsafe because professional pilots are being excluded from the discussions whereas NLK pilots are included and the plates are good.
We can't even begin to think of approving rule bending, we have to plan for 180-min ETOPs and the next person to suggest a dirt strip and a DHC Caribou or an airship is dead.
St Helena intends to conform with ICAO recommendations from day one. The problem is that private enterprise is anathema to the UK Colonial Gummint chaps. If they yield to the proposals of Shelco and airport civil engineers Ove Arup and Partners then they are guilty of wasting ten years' time and money. While not being a conspiracy theorist I do find it strange that a) Ascension is still effectively militarily controlled and b) STH has no airport. Yet these two remote fastnesses, shut-off from public gaze are often roadsteads for gigantic containerised munitions ships of the USN. The Uk and US Governments like it that way I suspect but I don't bow down to conspiracy to deny access, just a merely curious suggestion that gains legs every day decisions are postponed.
If you have trouble with the safety aspects of NLK please do not make any unwarranted comparisons with the soon-to-be ZHH. Not to say that ZHH will be any better but frankly it doesn't do to ridicule however faintly nor to damn with faint praise the efforts of an island to achieve stature and self-determination.
I am not the easiest chap I know and I unintentionally ruffle feathers. If I upset you by joshing about "puddle-jumpers" then it's a joke h_g, not a personal slight and I would happily return to a DHC-8 out of ANU and Back Every Afternoon for the good life.
But it doesn't pay, life moves on and events move you with it. Big Bird or Little Bird we are both pilots.
Thanks for your call tho' and please help St Helena to get safely into the air.
Rgds The E
I think that we met at NLK? Whatever happens there is for the authorities to decide and GR to implement under the Island Administration.
While the Islands have many similarities they have many more dissimilarities. If you gently mock our attempts at air access through a comparison with NLK you do neither island a favour.
Anyway I cant remember posting 300+1400+300 for the runway, that must have come out in conversation over lunch when I explicitly said 90 (+ 60 threshold displacement for obstacle clearance) + 1620 + 240 was adjudged by most participants to be perfectly acceptable and on Arup's alignment not Phoney Robinson's.
The issue at NLK is one of resurfacing and extending the RESAs over sidelong ground with either one or two roadway portals for road traffic. There are no other alignments possible.
Nevertheless the NLK airport procedures are not inherently unsafe (and if as I suspect you are an F100 pilot there is a third issue of your airline conducting flights under domestic rules whereas the kiwis go international oceanic despite being nearer). ((Are the GPS DAPs effective yet? Do you still fly to 90nm and turn back for Brisi if the mists are bad?)) However the ZHH plates are potentially unsafe because professional pilots are being excluded from the discussions whereas NLK pilots are included and the plates are good.
We can't even begin to think of approving rule bending, we have to plan for 180-min ETOPs and the next person to suggest a dirt strip and a DHC Caribou or an airship is dead.
St Helena intends to conform with ICAO recommendations from day one. The problem is that private enterprise is anathema to the UK Colonial Gummint chaps. If they yield to the proposals of Shelco and airport civil engineers Ove Arup and Partners then they are guilty of wasting ten years' time and money. While not being a conspiracy theorist I do find it strange that a) Ascension is still effectively militarily controlled and b) STH has no airport. Yet these two remote fastnesses, shut-off from public gaze are often roadsteads for gigantic containerised munitions ships of the USN. The Uk and US Governments like it that way I suspect but I don't bow down to conspiracy to deny access, just a merely curious suggestion that gains legs every day decisions are postponed.
If you have trouble with the safety aspects of NLK please do not make any unwarranted comparisons with the soon-to-be ZHH. Not to say that ZHH will be any better but frankly it doesn't do to ridicule however faintly nor to damn with faint praise the efforts of an island to achieve stature and self-determination.
I am not the easiest chap I know and I unintentionally ruffle feathers. If I upset you by joshing about "puddle-jumpers" then it's a joke h_g, not a personal slight and I would happily return to a DHC-8 out of ANU and Back Every Afternoon for the good life.
But it doesn't pay, life moves on and events move you with it. Big Bird or Little Bird we are both pilots.
Thanks for your call tho' and please help St Helena to get safely into the air.
Rgds The E
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It’s a ‘yes’ according to the BBC: Saint Helena to get first airport.
A runway of 2,250 m, capable of taking A320s and B738s.
A runway of 2,250 m, capable of taking A320s and B738s.
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and here is the press release
An Airport for St Helena
The South Atlantic island of St Helena, which is one of the most isolated inhabited islands in the world, is set to get its own international airport.
One of 13 remaining UK Overseas Territories, St Helena is at present accessible only by several days’ sea voyage from ports on the African mainland or from Ascension Island. The airport, which should be ready to accept flights by 2010, is expected to provide a boost for the island’s economy. The Department for International Development (DFID) will provide funding, subject to satisfactory bids for a ‘design, build and operate’ contract and a rigorous environmental impact assessment. All private sector investor interest in St Helena will be considered on an equal footing.
The decision by DFID, in consultation with the St Helena Government, follows evaluation of options to maintain access after the island’s passenger and supply ship reaches the end of her working life in 2010. This last remaining ‘Royal Mail Ship’, the ‘RMS St Helena’, is now the island’s lifeline to the world.
Speaking today, International Development Minister Gareth Thomas said:
“I am delighted to make this announcement, which I know will be welcomed by the island community and St Helenians everywhere. I have every confidence that the islanders will take full advantage of the enormous social and economic benefits that we expect it to bring to them and to their island”.
Page 2 of 2
14th March 2005
The island’s Governor, His Excellency Mr Michael Clancy, said:
“I have no doubt that this will prove to be a momentous decision in the history of St Helena. We are sure we can develop the proposal into a huge success that will lead to economic growth and considerable advantages for the island. The island government and community are most grateful for this expression of confidence by Her Majesty’s Government in the future of St Helena”
Note to Editors:
1. The new airport will be located on Prosperous Bay Plain - on the eastern coast of the island. It will incorporate a total runway length of 2250 metres, sufficient to support safe operation of long-haul jet aircraft such as the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737-800. Pending an international tendering process, the initial cost estimates for the work will not be released for commercial reasons.
2. The project will include technical advice to help establish regular scheduled air services and to support St Helena in reaping the economic benefits of air access for the island. Increased tourism and inward investment is expected to follow the much improved access arrangements.
3. UK assistance to St Helena (pop 3900) is currently about £13 million per year. This includes budgetary support to meet essential public services and to subsidise the island’s dedicated shipping service.
4. For further information please contact the DFID press office on 020 7023 0600 or e-mail [email protected]
The South Atlantic island of St Helena, which is one of the most isolated inhabited islands in the world, is set to get its own international airport.
One of 13 remaining UK Overseas Territories, St Helena is at present accessible only by several days’ sea voyage from ports on the African mainland or from Ascension Island. The airport, which should be ready to accept flights by 2010, is expected to provide a boost for the island’s economy. The Department for International Development (DFID) will provide funding, subject to satisfactory bids for a ‘design, build and operate’ contract and a rigorous environmental impact assessment. All private sector investor interest in St Helena will be considered on an equal footing.
The decision by DFID, in consultation with the St Helena Government, follows evaluation of options to maintain access after the island’s passenger and supply ship reaches the end of her working life in 2010. This last remaining ‘Royal Mail Ship’, the ‘RMS St Helena’, is now the island’s lifeline to the world.
Speaking today, International Development Minister Gareth Thomas said:
“I am delighted to make this announcement, which I know will be welcomed by the island community and St Helenians everywhere. I have every confidence that the islanders will take full advantage of the enormous social and economic benefits that we expect it to bring to them and to their island”.
Page 2 of 2
14th March 2005
The island’s Governor, His Excellency Mr Michael Clancy, said:
“I have no doubt that this will prove to be a momentous decision in the history of St Helena. We are sure we can develop the proposal into a huge success that will lead to economic growth and considerable advantages for the island. The island government and community are most grateful for this expression of confidence by Her Majesty’s Government in the future of St Helena”
Note to Editors:
1. The new airport will be located on Prosperous Bay Plain - on the eastern coast of the island. It will incorporate a total runway length of 2250 metres, sufficient to support safe operation of long-haul jet aircraft such as the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737-800. Pending an international tendering process, the initial cost estimates for the work will not be released for commercial reasons.
2. The project will include technical advice to help establish regular scheduled air services and to support St Helena in reaping the economic benefits of air access for the island. Increased tourism and inward investment is expected to follow the much improved access arrangements.
3. UK assistance to St Helena (pop 3900) is currently about £13 million per year. This includes budgetary support to meet essential public services and to subsidise the island’s dedicated shipping service.
4. For further information please contact the DFID press office on 020 7023 0600 or e-mail [email protected]
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congrats!!
enicalyth!
well done. thy hand was evident in this battle. i hope they name the airport after you, you old bar steward. i s'pose you shall be moving on? bags i the first intvu. who will you be working for when you leave? but just before the rest of you leap in the air for joy, that 2250 metres is 1650 metres of runway plus two lots of 300metre RESAs. there must be a massive amount of earthworks tho' filling in the ravine at the Great Stone Top end. and you will have to convince me about the approach plates. displaced threshold because of the Barn and Turks cap? i take it you have e-mailed Glenn at NLK? sorry i took a pop at you but very, very well done. not many people can say they fought for an airport and won.
well done. thy hand was evident in this battle. i hope they name the airport after you, you old bar steward. i s'pose you shall be moving on? bags i the first intvu. who will you be working for when you leave? but just before the rest of you leap in the air for joy, that 2250 metres is 1650 metres of runway plus two lots of 300metre RESAs. there must be a massive amount of earthworks tho' filling in the ravine at the Great Stone Top end. and you will have to convince me about the approach plates. displaced threshold because of the Barn and Turks cap? i take it you have e-mailed Glenn at NLK? sorry i took a pop at you but very, very well done. not many people can say they fought for an airport and won.
