The St Helena Government (SHG) has provided a detailed update on the ongoing suspension of commercial air services at St Helena Airport, outlining progress toward restoring full operations and addressing growing public concern.
The only airport on the island of St Helena, a remote British overseas territory in the Atlantic Ocean, has been closed over fire safety concerns. A major incident has been declared by the local government after checks found the airport’s fire engines failed to meet international safety standards, forcing it to halt operations.
While the disruption has significantly affected residents and travellers, authorities emphasise that efforts are advancing on multiple fronts to reinstate Category 6 status — the level required for Airlink’s commercial services.
Following intensive technical work by the airport team and the St Helena Fire and Rescue Service, the aviation regulator has approved the airport to operate at Category 4.
This limited certification permits:
An overnight incident has prompted a scheduled Medevac flight for tomorrow, operating within normal response timelines — a signal, according to SHG, that essential medical air access remains fully functional.
However, authorities stress that Category 4 operations do not substitute for commercial passenger services.
Airlink has suspended future bookings to St Helena for now, though cancellations are being made on a flight-by-flight basis. As of 10 February 2026, only flights on 7, 10, 14 and 15 February have been cancelled.
Restoring Category 6 capability remains the top priority. SHG confirmed that:
In parallel, the government is seeking to procure two new airport fire appliances, potentially with UK Government support. Because such vehicles are typically custom-built, SHG is exploring both interim and permanent replacement options.
Coordination with the aviation regulator is ongoing to determine the fastest compliant pathway back to full commercial operations.
To facilitate repatriation when flights resume, SHG is relocating residents currently in Cape Town to Johannesburg.
Officials have also urged travellers to review and, if necessary, extend their travel insurance coverage, particularly for health-related provisions. Solomons Travel Agency has been identified as a point of contact for affected residents.
Gold Command — the island’s senior emergency coordination structure — is meeting daily. The Major Incident Response Plan remains active, with local and international teams working continuously to resolve the situation.
SHG has committed to conducting a transparent review once operational stability is restored.
In its statement, SHG acknowledged public frustration but condemned discriminatory or abusive commentary directed at airport or government staff. Officials emphasised that frontline personnel are working under intense pressure and must be able to do so in a safe and respectful environment.
Authorities caution that the situation will not be resolved immediately but affirm that restoration efforts are progressing as rapidly as safety requirements allow. Updates will continue to be published, including through a dedicated Q&A document available on the government’s website.
Passenger Support Contacts:
For now, St Helena’s air link remains partially functional — but the return of full commercial connectivity hinges on technical repairs and regulatory clearance in the days ahead.
This post was published on 11 February 2026 22:32
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