A busy few years in
The world’s most isolated airport has always been guided by a mission to provide safe, reliable and efficient airport operations for St Helena. Remaining compliant with regulatory requirements means considering passengers, stakeholders and the environment. CEO Gwyneth Howell looks back on an eventful 18 months, with Hannah Barnett.
Aremote volcanic island in the South Atlantic, St Helena is approximately 1,200 miles from the nearest major landmass. The airport’s location on a rugged terrain with steep cliffs and strong crosswinds makes landings particularly challenging. Even the site construction ten years ago was a remarkable engineering feat, involving the levelling of a mountain and the creation of an extensive rockfall protection system.
It is no surprise, then, that the St Helena Airport now serves a vital role, connecting the island’s small population to the outside world.
“We provide a lifeline for medical evacuations, essential supplies and tourism,” said Gwyneth Howell, CEO. “The airport’s combination of geographic isolation, technical challenges and vital importance to the community makes it truly unique among small island airports.”
A royal visit
After nine years of operation, the St Helena airport accommodated its first royal arrival back on January 23rd, 2024, when HRH Prince Edward visited the island. “Anticipation was evident as the community eagerly prepared to welcome a member of the
British royal family,” Ms Howell recalled. “Flags were proudly displayed, and the island’s dignitaries assembled at the airport to greet HRH.”
The visit was especially poignant as the airport was never formally opened back in 2016 as originally planned, due to not being
officially certified yet. Prince Edward spent a few days on the island which included time with the community.
“He also was also able to officially inaugurate the airport,” Ms Howell said. “So, now we’ve had the airport officially opened by a royal family member and we’ve got the plaque to prove it.”
Another notable event during that week was the arrival of the impressive C17 aircraft on January 25th. The C17, capable of transporting troops, equipment, and even royalty, symbolised the island’s connection to the wider world. “As Prince Edward boarded the C17 for his departure on the 26th of January, the island stood united,” Ms Howell said. “Whether
it’s a royal arrival or a routine training session, St Helena Airport remains steadfast in its pursuit of progress.”
Further milestones
In February 2024, the airport welcomed another exciting visitor, this time in the form of a Pilatus PC-12 aircraft, which landed as part of a world circumnavigation expedition. Its two pilots spent eight days on the island before achieving their remarkable feat.
“This journey not only demonstrated the PC-12’s reliability and performance but also highlighted the spirit of adventure that drives aviation enthusiasts,” said Ms Howell. “The successful circumnavigation stands as
a testament to the dedication and skill of the pilots and the advanced engineering of the PC-12.”
In May 2024, a team of Royal Engineers arrived to evaluate the condition of the runway and provide invaluable expertise on infrastructure and logistics. They conducted a meticulous examination to thoroughly assess its condition. Their findings will guide future maintenance efforts, ensuring the safety and efficiency of the St Helena Airport airfield.
“Any runway has got a life span,” Ms Howell explained. “The engineers drilled into it and assessed the sub-base. Now, our runway will last for another 40 years. It’s really well built with a great foundation. It was nice having the engineers on the island; they brought their ground penetrating radar and showed us how it worked. We spent about two weeks with them, so we’ve struck up a good relationship there.”
On the 9th February 2025, the St Helena Airport recorded its 50,000th passenger. This significant achievement spans a turbulent nine years, during which the Covid pandemic caused a major setback to what was then a promising outlook for passenger growth.
However, the recovery in the pre-pandemic years has been steady and the reality of surpassing the previous highest annual figure is now well within sight.
Upgrading and updating
Stronger IT infrastructure has been successfully installed at the airport, boosting the company’s cybersecurity protection capabilities. A project to replace the LIDAR windshear detection tool is also underway. The tool is crucial to enhance flight safety in the island’s challenging weather conditions. By using laser technology to measure wind patterns and detect windshear, LIDAR provides real-time data that helps pilots make informed decisions during take-off and landing.
This updated technology should prove helpful as in recent years climate change has
increasingly affected the island. More frequent weather patterns have had a significant impact on St Helena’s transportation, particularly the delicate scheduling of flights. Despite the famous unpredictability of weather conditions on the island, there have been a noticeable increase in delays and cancellations.
For example, 2024 saw 18 delays or postponements compared to 13 in 2023. 12 of these delays were mainly due to rain, low cloud base or fog over the airfield. December 2024 was a particularly challenging month, with unprecedented numbers of cancellations during what should be the first month of summer.
Aircraft which visited St Helena during 2024:
• Boeing 757-200ER
• Boeing C17-A
• Bombardier GL7T
• Cessna Citation X
• Dassault Falcon 20TH
• Dassault Falcon 7X
• Embraer EMB550
• Gulfstream G550
• Pilatus PC12
“Since I’ve been on the island, I haven’t seen December or January’s weather be the way it’s supposed to be,” said Ms Howell. “It’s a huge concern and impacts the scheduling like you can’t believe. Delays obviously also affect the travellers, and most are on transit to the UK. So, that becomes a cost issue too.”
The company has also identified a potential increase in flooding at the airport, leading to the formation of a climate impact study to ascertain if the issue will get any worse. As part of the works that took place on the runway, the airport has also worked to prevent any further degradation of the cliff side, which means stopping water from running off the cliff. Instead, the airport has installed French drains to safeguard both the runway and surrounding environment.
Time served
To remain successful and ensure longevity, it is no surprise that St Helena Airport thrives on collaboration and partnership. The organisation works transparently with suppliers and partners to build long-term
relationships, fostering trust and mutual respect. This also means maintaining a reliable and environmentally conscious supply chain, supporting the island’s economic growth and preserving its natural beauty for future generations.
For Ms Howell, the last year has been particularly significant, as she recently announced her retirement, which will begin when her contract ends in May 2026. The handover process, however, starts now.
“One of the most exciting aspects of my job is the opportunity for continuous growth, both personally and professionally,” she concluded. “I am particularly passionate about staff development, as it allows me to mentor my team, helping them unlock their full potential.
“Additionally, St Helena Airport takes great satisfaction in implementing a robust transition structure to ensure a smooth succession plan for when I retire. This not only provides stability for the organisation but also ensures that the legacy of excellence and innovation continues long after I step down.”
