In November 2011, St Helena Government and the UK’s Department for International Development awarded Basil Read the contract to design, construct and operate the St Helena Airport and associated works on the remote island of St Helena in the South Atlantic some 2300kms north west of Walvis Bay.
Construction works commenced in 2012 and over the past four and a half years has involved the design and construction of the airport, access roads, bulk fuel installations, water supplies, aerodrome ground lighting, navigational aids and certification as well as all logistics.
Certification was granted on 10 May 2016 which allows the commencement of commercial flight operations.
Windshear problems were experienced from the northerly approach and St Helena Government are currently reviewing various options, after which, the date for the official inauguration flight will be set.
The project, with an estimated final value of £300-million, will continue into late 2017 with additional works at the Island’s Bulk Fuel Installation in Rupert’s Bay.
Basil Read also are responsible for airport operations until 2026.
