Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the total cost of construction and bringing into operation of the airport at St Helena; what restrictions in aircraft types and passenger numbers are in place to enable them to be used without aircraft being endangered by wind shear.
Answered by Lord Bates
In April 2016, when the airport was brought into operation the project spend was £238.9 million.
St Helena is a remote location and its airport is classified as a Category C aerodrome. Prior to flight operations, all required members of the flight crew must have received specific training with respect to operations into Category C airports, including the effect of adverse weather conditions, severe turbulence and recovery from wind shear conditions. In addition, a specific airport briefing is required prior to the flight and a Category C St Helena Operating Pack is issued to the crew. The ability to operate is determined by the Aircraft Operator in conjunction with the appropriate Aeronautical Authority Regulator. Passenger numbers will be determined by the Operator’s Aircraft Operating Certificate and fuel requirements for Island Holding in the event of adverse weather. The full terms of use for St Helena Airport are published in its Aeronautical Information Publication.
Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many commercial flights to St Helena a week are currently operated; what is the average fare from mainland destinations; and whether these services are subsidised.
Answered by Lord Bates
There is currently one scheduled commercial flight each week from Johannesburg to St Helena. This service will be expanded later this year with an additional midweek flight.
The current fares policy agreed between the St Helena Government and the operator (SA Airlink) is published by the St Helena Government and can be found on their website. The sale of tickets is the responsibility of the air operator, fares vary depending on demand and the average fare is commercially sensitive.
The UK government underwrites the service to ensure continuity of air access.
Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government who owns the RMS St Helena, and what financial support they have provided to operate the service between Cape Town and St Helena over the last three years.
Answered by Baroness Verma
The RMS St Helena is owned by St Helena Line, which is itself wholly owned by the St Helena Government. Her Majesty’s Government provided £3,199,382 of support to operate the service in 2013/14; £2,272,726 in 2014/15; and £619,751in 2015/16.
Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what financial support they plan to provide to air services to and from St Helena when the new airport opens there.
Answered by Baroness Verma
As part of Her Majesty’s Government’s commitment to provide for the Overseas Territories’ reasonable assistance needs DFID will fund over the first two years any shortfall between the costs of operating the weekly service from Johannesburg and revenue from ticket sales.
A revenue management strategy is being developed by the air service provider in collaboration with the St Helena Government. This will be regularly reviewed to ensure that self-sustainability is reached as soon as possible.
Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans there are for the future of the RMS St Helena when it ceases to provide a shipping service between St Helena and Cape Town; and what alternative arrangements are being made to supply St Helena with goods not suitable for air transport.
Answered by Baroness Verma
St Helena Line has appointed a ship broker to handle the sale of the RMS St Helena when she is withdrawn from service in July 2016.
The St Helena Government has signed a contract with AW Ship Management Ltd to commence an unsubsidised freight service between Cape Town and St Helena in June 2016.