St Helena & Ascension April 2020 relief flights

[pzu]

Any news on possible relief fights (primarily medical supplies) to St Helena & Ascension? ex UK, possibly A-318 either BA or

PZU - Out of Africa (Retired)

[sandiego89]

No, but I would think a shut down might be the way to go on a remote island to limit exposure (assuming you have enough beer and spam to last the duration of course)

[750XL]

Unsure about Ascension, but I would think that St Helena would just manage like it always has done - with goods being shipped in by sea

[Chris2303]

Unsure about Ascension, but I would think that St Helena would just manage like it always has done - with goods being shipped in by sea

In April 2018 she was purchased by MNG Maritime and renamed MNG Tahiti to act as a vessel-based armoury (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vessel-based_armoury) (VBA) licensed by the UK Department for International Trade (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Department_for_International_Trade) (DIT) in the Gulf of Oman (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_of_Oman). In October 2018 MNG sold the ship and she returned to the UK renamed St Helena once more.

[Bksmithca]

Chris, I could be mistaken but I believe they are talking about the Islands of Ascension and St Helena.

[601]

spam to last the duration of course

So that is where all the Spam went to!

[OPENDOOR]

UK Government Honours Commitment To Support St Helena With Covid-19 Preparations

https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/2020/news/uk-government-honours-commitment-to-support-st-helena-with-covid-19-preparations/

[Rossair]

Chris, I could be mistaken but I believe they are talking about the Islands of Ascension and St Helena.
I think Chris was referring to the Royal Mail Ship St. Helena.
Before St Helena Airport opened this ship ran a regular passenger, cargo and mail service from Cape Town to the island.
When the airport opened, the ship was retired.
She was a capable and tough little ship. I hope she can be retained as she could be a useful British asset in uncertain times.

[OPENDOOR]

She was a capable and tough little ship. I hope she can be retained as she could be a useful British asset in uncertain times.

Looks like she is back in service;

08-04-20

The MV Helena arrived last week and departed for Ascension on Sunday. Merchants have advised that they have sufficient supplies and people are encouraged to maintain their normal shopping habits. St Helena Government would like to extend their thanks to all involved for offloading the MV Helena and as a result getting supplies into shops so quickly.

International shipping is continuing around the world and Cape Town port continues to operate, but on a reduced scale. We currently expect the MV Helena to be able to go back to Cape Town and restock and return in May.

[The Ancient Geek]

They spent millions on a white elephant of an airport with the runway at 90 degrees to the prevailing wind and built in windshear from the nearby cliffs.
Flights from Windhoek had just enough range but as often as not had to go around and return to Windhoek. In the end the only reliable way to keep the island supplied was to put the ship back into service.
Taxpayers money --- harumphhhhhh.

[OwnNav]

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x768/unadjustednonraw_thumb_103_c879c532ab6aefd89caffeb5d8395c8ac 61a23c1.jpg
I bet she gets a good welcome party
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x768/unadjustednonraw_thumb_d5_49f8901ee82353861f3fc9c63cb9481f32 3fe98c.jpg
I bet she gets a good welcome party, apologies for poor quality of pics, iPhone shot from the Queen Victoria.

[Ipreferfacts]

MNG Tahiti was sold to the Extreme E racing series. It's currently undergoing refit.

[radiosutch]

Looks like she is back in service;

08-04-20

New ship nearly the same name easy to mix up

[Ipreferfacts]

Often as not had to go around? Come on mate. At least try and do some research before you post. There's a Doc. on youtube called "The World's Most Useful Airport"; whilst it's not perfect, it rights a lot of the misinformation spouted by the tabloid press some years ago.

[racedo]

Ideal location for a Military cargo drop off by pallet out the back. No need to land just do a fly by.

[750XL]

There's some right rubbish touted in this forum at times.

The RMS St Helena (below) is laid up in Birkenhead docks awaiting it's new owner, it's not in service with the island.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/Travel/2017/October/rms-st-helena-exterior-ocean-world-travel.jpg

The MV Helena is now the vessel used to and from mainland Africa
https://sthelenashipping.com/wp-content/uploads/HELENA-10-1.jpg

They spent millions on a white elephant of an airport with the runway at 90 degrees to the prevailing wind and built in windshear from the nearby cliffs.
Flights from Windhoek had just enough range but as often as not had to go around and return to Windhoek. In the end the only reliable way to keep the island supplied was to put the ship back into service.
Taxpayers money --- harumphhhhhh.

Where do you get your stats from? It's arguably one of the worlds most USEFUL airports, and has saved many lives over the years. The cancellation rate in 2018 was less than 8%, and I believe it's much less than that now.

Here's a great video on the airport

https://youtu.be/5-QejUTDCWw

[Ipreferfacts]

Thank you 750XL. My sentiments exactly. And that's the video I was referring to (I can't post urls as I'm new). I have also personally been on that flight and it was one of the most unique and enjoyable trips I've ever had.

[pzu]

Understand that a Titan A318 is scheduled ex UK via Ascension on Monday 20th April

Pzu - Out of Africa (Retired)

[750XL]

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/731x596/helena_760553cbadc0cead2fd5e307fb4ecb2d3eb179e6.jpg

http://www.independent.sh/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/St-Helena-Independent-20200417.pdf

[atakacs]

Nice cabin layout.
Clearly, the 3600 nm is not enough for a direct flight - what is their routing ?

[caiman27]

The A318 just departed Stansted on its way to Accra.

[sycamore]

Just arrived Accra...

[750XL]

and now on it's way out of Accra (to Ascension or St Helena? I'm not sure)

[bbear737]

Looks like they are going for a night landing- ballsy move.

[STN Ramp Rat]

The Article states the flight is arriving from ASI at 1PM on Monday so I assume its going for night stop in ASI first

[WIDN62]

FR24 shows it abeam ASI at the moment heading for St Helena. Maybe the forecast wind is better in the evening.

[750XL]

FR24 shows it abeam ASI at the moment heading for St Helena. Maybe the forecast wind is better in the evening.

Think that's just FR24 showing an estimated position based on the routing, don't think it's actually there.

[caiman27]

It obviously overnighted on Ascension as it is now en route to St Helena - just about to land.

[sycamore]

On the way home,off E coast of Spain....