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First passenger plane lands at ‘world’s most useless airport’ on island of Napoleon’s exile | First passenger plane lands at ‘world’s most useless airport’ on island of Napoleon’s exile |
(about 20 hours later) | |
Residents of St. Helena are celebrating the arrival of the first passenger jet to land at the south Atlantic island’s $370 million (£285mn) airport, the opening of which has been delayed for years due to “dangerous wind conditions.” | |
An aircraft carrying 60 passengers touched down at the airport on Saturday after more than a decade of well-publicized blunders and delays. Costing the equivalent of over $78,000 (£60,000) for each person living on the island, the airport, dubbed “the world’s most useless,” is one of Britain’s most expensive per capita projects in recent times. | An aircraft carrying 60 passengers touched down at the airport on Saturday after more than a decade of well-publicized blunders and delays. Costing the equivalent of over $78,000 (£60,000) for each person living on the island, the airport, dubbed “the world’s most useless,” is one of Britain’s most expensive per capita projects in recent times. |
Plans for an airport on the British territory had been devised in 2005, but didn't get the green light from government until 2010. Construction eventually got underway one year later. | |
However, it soon descended into farce when it was revealed that a decision to build a shorter runway meant the airport could only accommodate small aircraft, while shear winds forced an airliner to abort a test landing twice last year. | |
Safety problems delayed the opening of the airport in April 2016 and the inevitable inquiry followed. A report by the British public accounts committee found it “staggering” that the island’s wind shear problems hadn't been foreseen. | |
Small private planes have been using the runway since it was completed last year. | Small private planes have been using the runway since it was completed last year. |
Despite the controversy, St Helena’s local government were in celebratory mood as they posted pictures of the plane’s arrival online. | Despite the controversy, St Helena’s local government were in celebratory mood as they posted pictures of the plane’s arrival online. |
Councilor Derek Thomas told MercoPress: “It is a great day for St. Helena to receive our first flight of passengers, and a really good turnout from the people. | Councilor Derek Thomas told MercoPress: “It is a great day for St. Helena to receive our first flight of passengers, and a really good turnout from the people. |
“Over the past year there have been many disappointments for air access but despite this our people have been patient while waiting for a successful outcome. The arrival of the aircraft today is one step nearer to commercial use of our airport.” | “Over the past year there have been many disappointments for air access but despite this our people have been patient while waiting for a successful outcome. The arrival of the aircraft today is one step nearer to commercial use of our airport.” |
The plane did not hang around for long, however, making a quick turnaround with 48 passengers bound for Cape Town, South Africa via Windhoek. | The plane did not hang around for long, however, making a quick turnaround with 48 passengers bound for Cape Town, South Africa via Windhoek. |
Located in the middle of the Atlantic more than 1,000 miles (1,600km) west of the African coast, St. Helena has, until now, only been accessible by a boat operated by Britain’s Royal Mail. The lack of alternative transport left islanders stranded last month after the ship was placed in dry dock for repairs to its starboard propeller. | Located in the middle of the Atlantic more than 1,000 miles (1,600km) west of the African coast, St. Helena has, until now, only been accessible by a boat operated by Britain’s Royal Mail. The lack of alternative transport left islanders stranded last month after the ship was placed in dry dock for repairs to its starboard propeller. |
St. Helena’s remoteness has been useful to the British government in the past, however. | St. Helena’s remoteness has been useful to the British government in the past, however. |
Napoleon was imprisoned on the island after being exiled by Britain in 1815. He would remain there until his death in 1821. | Napoleon was imprisoned on the island after being exiled by Britain in 1815. He would remain there until his death in 1821. |