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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 |
| (35 minutes 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.” | 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. |
| St Helena is also extremely isolated. Located in the middle of the Atlantic more than 1,000 miles (1,600km) west of the African coast, it has, until now, been accessible only by a boat operated by Britain’s Royal Mail. | |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| Given the significant problems that crosswinds cause commercial airliners on a regular basis, it's a hard one to fathom. | |
| Small private planes have, however, 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. |
| The lack of alternative transport had 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. |