Following the opening of the award winning airport in 2017, visiting St Helena has never been easier. Just a short 6-hour flight from Johannesburg can transport you from the hustle and bustle of city life to the idyllic, picturesque island of St Helena.
The best kept secret of the South Atlantic now can be explored by nature, marine and history lovers from all over the world.
About St Helena Airport
In September 2008, the Governor in Council on St Helena granted permission for the construction of the Airport and related infrastructure. The contract to Design, Build and Operate St Helena Airport was awarded to Basil Read (a South African construction company) in 2011 and signed on 3rd November 2011.
Following significant earthworks on island, overcoming the logistical challenge of importing and transporting essential materials to site involved constructing a 14km road, and constructing a new airport and associated facilities at a ‘greenfield’ site. St Helena Airport was certified for operations by Air Safety Support International (ASSI) on 10th May 2016. This achievement was made all the more remarkable by the issuance of an aerodrome certificate at the first attempt.
Following its construction, the Airport has opened-up rapid access to the rest of the world and has already proven itself following the successful completion of a number of medevac flights to the African mainland, where patients receive life-saving treatment.
Commercial air services commenced on 14th October 2017 with a weekly flight connecting St Helena to South Africa, and a monthly flight connecting St Helena with Ascension Island. The Airport also accommodates frequent private and charter flights, as well as technical stops by aircraft using St Helena as a hop between South America and Southern/Western Africa.
FLYING To ST HELENA
Airlink have recommenced operations and fly to St Helena fortnightly between Johannesburg and St Helena and operate the monthly inter-Island service with Ascension Island. Additional inter-Island flights have been included during periods of peak demand.
The re-introduction of Cape Town flights will begin in December 2024 and run until March 2025. These will take place alongside the weekly Johannesburg flights. The weekly Saturday flight will operate from Cape Town and the weekly Tuesday flight will operate from Johannesburg.
Airlink tickets for the service between Johannesburg and St Helena are now on sale and are available online via the Airlink website at: flyairlink.com and through all IATA travel agents.
Immigration requirements on St Helena include:
Medical insurance which covers at least GBP 175,000 worth of medical expenses including emergency medical evacuation (it is suggested that passengers carry both paper and electronic proof of insurance).
A ticket for both arrival and departure, or a ticket for arrival only if you are a St Helenian or Resident.
A St Helena E-Visa if you are a national travelling from any of the countries listed here.
If you are a St Helenian leaving the Island for a short holiday, you should ensure that your British or British Overseas Territories Citizen passport is valid for a minimum of six months beyond the period of intended stay. You should also have valid travel insurance, a return ticket and you may be asked to show evidence that you have St Helenian status on your return journey to the island.
If you are a St Helenian returning to the island for a holiday or relocating from abroad, you will be asked to show evidence that you have St Helenian status.
St Helenian status can be shown by a letter, a Declaration of St Helenian Status Certificate or a Certificate of St Helenian status issued from the St Helena Immigration Office. Partners and children of St Helenians can apply for a Spouse of Life Partner Exemption Certificate or a Dependent Exemption Certificate.
To find out more about obtaining these documents, please contact the Immigration Office via email: emerald.newman@sainthelena.gov.sh or telephone: 00290 22626.
Information relating to Customs and Excise duties, including duty-free allowances available to visitors arriving at St Helena, can be found on the following link (here) .
If you are in any doubt, please contact the HM Customs and Excise team whose details can be found at the bottom of the following link (here).
A list of prohibited items can be found (here).
The Airport Security Screening Officer together with the Security Supervisor may prevent items outside of this list from being carried should it be determined items may endanger the safety of the aircraft, passengers or crew.
As with any international airport, jokes and statements concerning explosive devices or firearms and other prohibited items will not be tolerated and any such comments shall result in the passenger being denied passage. Furthermore, the passenger will have committed an offence under the provisions of the Aerodrome Regulations, which carries a penalty of a maximum fine up to GBP 2,000 and/or six months’ imprisonment.
Airlink tickets for the service between Johannesburg and St Helena are now on sale and are available online via the Airlink website at: flyairlink.com/ and through all IATA travel agents.
For those resident on St Helena, ticket bookings can be made via Solomon & Company (St Helena) Plc’s Shipping & Travel Agency at the Malabar in Jamestown. Passengers can visit the Shipping & Travel Agency in person or contact them via email: shipping-travelmanager@solomons.co.sh or via tel: 22523.
Ticket bookings for the inter-island service between St Helena and Ascension can be made via the Ascension Island Government Finance Office in Georgetown. Passengers can visit the Finance Office in person or contact them via: flight.bookings@ascension.gov.ac or by telephone on 67000 extension 115.
Further travel information and flight schedule click here