THE RMS St Helena will
continue to serve its South
Atlantic island namesake until
July 1 next year to allow for
the resolution of operational
snags currently bedevilling the
commencement of commercial
flights to St Helena.
As the world’s last working
Royal Mail ship, the vessel
has been the island’s only
link to the world for the
past 26 years. It was due to
retire this month, following
completion of an international
airport on the island. However,
commercial flights had to
be postponed due to wind
problems identified during
implementation flights by
Comair, which has been
contracted to provide a weekly
scheduled service from
Johannesburg using a new
B737-800.
Having been given a year’s
grace, more people will now
be able to experience the
RMS St Helena, says St
Helena Tourism marketing
manager, Chanelle Marais.
She says tour operators report
healthy demand and berths
are expected to fill up fast.
Expanding the service will also
assist during the upcoming
summer season when the
island’s population swells by
25% as many ‘Saints’ working
abroad return home for the
holidays.
Last month, the RMS St
Helena conducted a farewell
cruise to London and was
expected back at St Helena on
July 23.
Meanwhile, international
experts are investigating how
to mitigate the wind problems
at the airport. St Helena
Government airport project
director, Janet Lawrence,
says Comair’s B737-800
experienced wind-shear and
tail winds on a northern
approach, while landing from
a southern approach would
necessitate weight restrictions
(fewer passengers), making it
commercially unfeasible. She
says alternative aircraft types
– the Embraer E190, B737-
700 or A319 – are now being
considered in discussions
with Comair and other airlines.
Meanwhile, the airport is
open for charters and medical
evacuations.
