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Remote UK island colony of St Helena to get airport | Remote UK island colony of St Helena to get airport |
(about 9 hours later) | |
A remote British Island where the French Emperor Napoleon was exiled is to get an airport, the International Development Secretary has announced. | A remote British Island where the French Emperor Napoleon was exiled is to get an airport, the International Development Secretary has announced. |
Until now, St Helena in the southern Atlantic ocean has only been accessible by sea. | Until now, St Helena in the southern Atlantic ocean has only been accessible by sea. |
The government previously announced plans for an airport in 2005, but these were put on hold in 2008. | The government previously announced plans for an airport in 2005, but these were put on hold in 2008. |
After the airport opens in 2015, those who want to visit the island by air will have to go to South Africa first. | |
The £200 million airport will be built by South African company Basil Read and financed by the UK government. | The £200 million airport will be built by South African company Basil Read and financed by the UK government. |
International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell said the agreed contract for design and construction of the airport represented a saving of 20% in real terms on prices negotiated in 2008, when the project was put on hold. | International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell said the agreed contract for design and construction of the airport represented a saving of 20% in real terms on prices negotiated in 2008, when the project was put on hold. |
In the long term it would help to reduce the island's dependency on annual British aid, which reached £26 million last year, he said. | In the long term it would help to reduce the island's dependency on annual British aid, which reached £26 million last year, he said. |
It is hoped building the airport will raise the number of visitors each year from around 900 to 30,000. | It is hoped building the airport will raise the number of visitors each year from around 900 to 30,000. |
It is planned that the airport will be finished in 2015 - the 200th anniversary of the arrival of Napoleon following his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo. | It is planned that the airport will be finished in 2015 - the 200th anniversary of the arrival of Napoleon following his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo. |
He died on the island in 1821, with his body eventually being reburied in Paris. | He died on the island in 1821, with his body eventually being reburied in Paris. |
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