Jamestown — The first regular commercial flight landed at St Helena on Saturday, opening the small British island in the South Atlantic to the world after centuries of isolation. About 100 islanders came out to the airport to watch the historic landing of the Embraer 190 jet which came from Johannesburg. On the tarmac, 60 incoming passengers were welcomed by the island’s smiling governor, Lisa Phillips. "It is connecting us to the world and it is opening us to the world," said Niall O’Keeffe, in charge of economic development on the island. St Helena, with just over 4,000 residents known as "Saints", is best known as the rocky outcrop where French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte saw out his final days. After five years of construction, controversy and embarrassing delays due to high winds, the airport — built at a cost of £285m — finally opened for business. "It will bring in tourists and we will be able to get a better standard of living," said Phillips. The volcanic tropical island its...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.