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Airlink has resumed flights between Johannesburg and St Helena Island following the reopening of St Helena Airport.
On 6 February, flights were halted after a technical assessment determined that the airport needed to be downgraded from Category 6 due to safety concerns.
"The St Helena Government regrets to inform the public that St Helena Airport is currently unable to operate as normal. Following technical assessments, the aviation regulator is expected to confirm that the airport must be downgraded from Category 6. This decision is based on fixed international safety requirements and a lack of confidence in the operational readiness of the fire tenders, meaning the airport cannot safely support standard flight operations at this time," the St Helena Government announced on social media.
The closure disrupted travel to and from the isolated island, leaving passengers stranded for weeks.
In a statement released this week, the St Helena government confirmed that extensive repairs had been completed and that successful commissioning tests had been accepted by the independent regulator, Air Safety Support International (ASSI).
Airlink announced that flights would resume on Tuesday, 17 February, subject to favourable weather conditions.
Priority is being given to passengers who were already booked and affected by the suspension.
"Please note that tickets will not be sold for the flights on 17 or 21 February. Customers who are already booked on these specific flights should travel as normal. Remaining seats will be prioritised for repatriation and allocated based on length of delay," announced Airlink.
It added that "bookings for Tuesday, 24 February and beyond will reopen in due course."
Airlink has operated flights between Johannesburg and St Helena since October 2017, typically offering a weekly Saturday service.
Boost for tourism:
Johannesburg offers visitors a wide range of attractions, from historical landmarks and cultural experiences to vibrant markets, nightlife, and world-class accommodation. Popular stops include Soweto, home to the Nelson Mandela House, as well as museums, shopping districts, and culinary hotspots across the city.
Also read: The remote marathon Joburg runners don’t need years to plan
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