St. Helena Airport opening delayed to May 2016

The opening of St.Helena Airport in the south Atlantic Ocean has been delayed from February 2016 to May 2016 to allow for additional refinement of the aerodrome's infrastructure. 

Earlier this month, the island's government announced that runway ILS calibration tests, carried out in September by a team from Flight Calibration Services Limited (FCSL) and TAB Charters (Lanseria), had been unsuccessful. As a result, redesign and relocation of the airfield's Localiser and DVOR would have to be carried out. 

"FCSL will return to the Island, possibly in the latter part of 2015 or early 2016, to recalibrate the NavAids following the rectification work," the government said.

Atlanic Star Airlines ( London Luton) has already deferred its planned London Gatwick-St Helena flights, operated in conjunction with TUIfly (Netherlands) (OR,Amsterdam), until May. The weekly flights will operate via Banjul, Gambia on both legs using B737-800 equipment.

Comair (South Africa) (MN, Johannesburg O.R.Tambo), which will operate scheduled flights to the island from Johannesburg O.R.Tambo with a fortnightly onward sector to Georgetown Wideawake, has also been affected by the delay. It will only be able to commence ticket sales once Air Safety Support International has given St. Helena Airport the official nod.