Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what evidence they have, if any, that indicates that the building of an airport in St Helena will improve the island's economy and improve residents' standard of living.

St Helena Airport provides quicker, more regular access to St Helena. It was built to stimulate St Helena’s economy through increased tourist numbers. A journey which previously took six days now takes six hours. The air service has already carried over 4,000 passengers to and from St Helena. The airport brings other benefits such as quicker access to healthcare for those living on the island. The air service has been operating for less than a year and there is not yet enough data to robustly assess the impact air access is having on the island’s economy.