Saint Helena Airport

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Airport St. Helena ( ICAO: FHSH, English St. Helena Airport ) is a since early 2012 under construction airport on the island of St. Helena in the Atlantic. With the completion is expected in 2015.

Location of the airport is the plateau near the Prosperous Bay on the east coast of the island. The runway should have a length of 1550 meters, the 737-700 is sufficient for most smaller short-and medium -haul aircraft such as the Airbus A319 and the Boeing. Originally a runway length of 1850 meters was planned, which would have allowed a use by A320 and B737- 800 aircraft. An extension possibility, however, already provided. Planned destinations include Cape Town in South Africa and Windhoek in Namibia, with only aircraft departing from Namibia or Angola, could reach the island at full load.

Background

Since the 1960s, there were initial ideas to build an airport on the island of St. Helena. 1999, these were picked up by the island's government, according to original planning an international airport to be built by 2011 /2012. As a result of the financial market crisis, the plans were shelved for the time being in December 2008 by the British government. Now was announced on November 3, 2011 by the governor of the island, that the contract was signed for the construction of the airport.

Controversies surrounding the construction

Proponent

The supporters argue with the end of the lifetime of the supply ships calling at the island every few weeks - this should be made 2015. In addition, the accessibility of the island is relatively small, which is why many residents moved away - from 2000 to 2006, the population decreased from around 7000 to 4000 people. Similarly, there was the hope that after the construction improve the economic situation of the island and the island is perhaps even could be self-financing, of these predictions and hopes but was now largely refrained. In a referendum held in 2007 3800 inhabitants of the island were in favor of the airport.

Criticism

The economic criticism is directed against the high cost of the project compared to the expected very low benefits, as St. Helena and after the construction of the airport probably never be able to carry yourself is. Many critics also argue that the island is losing its unique face that could save them from all through the solitude. Also the extinction of numerous endemic plant and animal species is feared.

Tendering and construction

The location on the plateau is for the island, although comparatively flat, but are to move to the construction of large earth and rock masses as well as to build a viaduct over a deep gorge. After an international tender, four companies have qualified for the final round bidders for the construction of the airport and three companies for later operation in February 2007. Construction began in early 2012. The cement is supplied by the Namibian cement plant Ohorongo by ship. The contract was awarded the South African construction company Basil Read.

The construction costs are estimated at 2.7 billion South African rand ( about 270 million euros ).