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Commercial flights to St Helena are expected to begin mid-year, with SA carrier, Airlink, in the running to operate the service.
In December, the St Helena Government (SHG) launched a request for proposals to provide air services to the island at runway 02. In 2015 Comair was initially awarded a contract to provide scheduled commercial air services between Johannesburg and St Helena. The flights were to use runway 20, but were suspended due to turbulence and wind shear. Runway 02’s wind conditions differ from those of runway 20 and require an aircraft that complies with its restrictions.
According to Kerisha Stevens, Head of News at SHG Press Office, the contract for air services to St Helena will be awarded by the end of May.
“The new tender is for anyone who wants to offer an interim solution until the St Helena government can make runway 20 suitable for a reliable scheduled service,” says Erik Venter, CEO of Comair.
SHG is looking at awarding a contract to one or more carriers to provide a minimum once-a-week flight to St Helena from an international hub airport or an airport with direct connections to the UK or South Africa. The contract will also include a service between St Helena and Ascension Island.
Airlink is finalising a proposal to operate the service and is currently in the process of acquiring two E190s that it plans to use on the route if its bid is successful. The airline is also expecting delivery of three E170s and has started adding 11 ERJ 140s to its fleet. “The Embraer 190 is highly proficient to operate at St Helena along with other very challenging airports around the world,” says Rodger Foster, CEO of Airlink. An E190, with 11 crew on board, including two Airlink pilots, completed a successful trial flight to the island, landing from the south on runway 02 at the end of last year.
Sourse: tourismupdate.co.za