St Helena International Airport (HLE)

The St Helena International Airport is unique, largely due to its remote location. It lies on the remote St. Helena Island, a British overseas territory. Presently, the only airline at the St. Helena Airport is Airlink, which operates weekly on the St. Helena-Johannesburg route with a fuel stop in Namibia. Later, an additional flight was introduced on the same route, operating every Tuesday. 

However, passenger flights have been suspended until 20th February 2026 due to fire safety concerns at the airport. The UK government is doing its utmost to restore operations. Hoping things improve soon, let us start this blog and gain insight into Saint Helena International Airport. We will discuss everything here, from the services provided to the operating airlines and more. Let us get started. 

St Helena Airport At A Glance

Find important information about St Helena for your convenience. Look at the table that follows: 

St. Helena Airport Terminal Information

The airport has a single terminal building to accommodate everyone – passengers arriving and departing at the airport, visitors, and meeters and greeters, and more. The terminal offers numerous facilities for passengers’ convenience. These include:

• Places to shop and eat
• Banking facilities 
• Airline ticketing office
• Tourist office
• Disabled access

What’s more, the terminal even handles facilities related to cargo and baggage. This helps minimize walking distances, making passenger transport more convenient. 

Which Airlines Operate At St Helena International Airport?

Currently, only one airline operates at Saint Helena International Airport: Airlink. In addition to weekly flights, Airlink operates monthly charter services on the St. Helena-Ascension Island route. You may use the contacts below to communicate with Airlink. 

What Are the Opening Hours of St Helena International Airport?

On days when flights are scheduled, the airport is open to the public from 10 am until the last flight departs. Moreover, St Helena Airport is available for charter flights upon request.

If there is any emergency outside of the operation hours, you may contact: 

• The CEO & Accountable Manager at +290 25175/+290 24547/+290 63131
• Operations Manager at +290 25180 ext 173/+290 63722

When Does Check-In for St Helena International Airport Begins?

Airlink check-in on weekends starts at 10:30 am and continues until 12:30 pm; after that, it closes. Passengers who have checked in go to the Departures point by 12:45 pm (the latest). The timeline is provided to ensure staff complete the necessary security and immigration checks and check-in procedures on time for outbound flights, enabling them to support the inbound flight’s arrival. 

What Services And Amenities Does St Helena International Airport Provide You With?

St Helena International Airport offers a range of services and amenities to enhance passenger convenience. Let us review a few facilities the airport provides. 

Airside Café

It is located after security, near the duty-free shops. While you are here, you may take a break to savor the hot and cold snacks and beverages available. This one is mainly for passengers in the departures lounge. 

Landslide First Floor Cafe

You may spot this cafe before security, near the first-floor viewing deck. You will find snacks and beverages, both hot and cold. Additionally, they have a kids’ play area and provide access to the viewing deck. 

Restrooms

St. Helena International Airport has separate restrooms for males and females. Additionally, they have accessible toilets for people with mobility issues, along with baby-changing facilities. Here are the locations of the restrooms: 

• Airside Restrooms – After security at the Arrivals and Departures Halls 
• Landslide Restrooms – Before security at the Landslide Concourse 

Airline Ticketing Office

You will find the ticketing office before security, close to the check-in area. This is a boon for international travelers, helping them make arrangements seamlessly. 

Banking and Currency Exchange

At the airport, you may need to convert cash or access immediate funds. The St. Helena International Airport has the Bank of St Helena on-site to assist customers with cash withdrawals and currency exchange

Car Hire

Roaming around St. Helena and getting soaked in its magnificence may be quite high on your bucket list. Right? The airport understands your needs and offers electric rental cars that can be collected and returned on-site. You may even charge it for free while using the DPS network. Where to locate them? At the parking lot, before security. 

Viewing Deck

To be swayed away by the panoramic views of the runways or apron, you must head to the viewing deck at the airport premises. They are located before security, adjacent to the first-floor restaurant. 

Baggage Wrapping Service

You certainly wouldn’t want your baggage to be damaged or accessed in an unauthorized manner. You will find it before security at check-in. 

Duty Free Shops

If you wish to make tax-free purchases, you will be pleased to know that St Helena Airport has duty-free shops after security, adjacent to the Airside Cafe. You can shop to your heart’s content, choose the item you please, and skip paying any duty for them. 

St Helena Airport’s Rules Related to Smoking

The airport has strict smoking policies. You cannot smoke in the following locations when at the airport premises: 

• At the airside
• Outside any buildings with the facility 
• Inside any buildings within the airport 

Smoking means the tobacco-related products like cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and cigars. 

So where can you smoke? The only permissible areas for a smoke break are outside the terminal, near the car park. You will find receptacle bins to dispose of your used cigars or cigarettes. Smoking destroys the surrounding environment of the airport, so if you have to smoke at all, make sure you do it with responsibility. 

Rules for E-cigarettes

Here are some rules and regulations to keep in mind regarding e-cigarettes for safety and security: 

• All e-cigarettes, including vaporizers and e-cigars, must be carried in your carry-on bag. 
• Protect them from sudden activation. 
• Avoid charging them when on the plane. 
• Carry spare batteries in your hand luggage. Insulate the terminals of the spare batteries to protect them. You may keep the batteries in their original packaging. 

Parking Options At the St.Helena Airport

Airport parking is free. You can park your motorcycle and car in the allotted parking lot. They also have barrier-controlled pick-up and drop-off for private taxis and public transport. Individuals requiring special assistance services may use the designated disabled parking spaces. 

You can use the parking bays on a short-term basis for a maximum of 4 hours. If you plan to park for more than four hours, contact the Airport Operator before your journey and submit an application to leave your vehicle for an extended period. Obtaining prior permission helps prevent putting your vehicle at risk. 

Transportation Facilities At the St. Helena Airport

 The airport is situated in the Prosperous Bay Plain area. The distance between the airport and Jamestown, St Helena’s capital city, is an average of 10 miles. A road has been constructed to facilitate commuting from the capital city to the airport. 

Public transportation includes a bus service. The Island lacks any trains or trams. You can use private transportation options such as vehicle hire or a taxi. However, they have a limited availability. It is advisable to book in advance to avoid any inconvenience. 

The table below provides detailed information on vehicle hires and car services available, along with their contact details. 

St Helena Security Rules and Regulations – All You Need To Know

The airport prioritizes safety of passengers, crew, aircraft, and visitors. You must have your handbags checked. Here are some things to keep in mind. You should also check your handbags for aerosols, gels, and liquids. 

• Your bags must be fastened securely. 
• The container size for carrying liquids shouldn’t be greater than 100 ml. 
• A single person should carry no more than one bag. 
• The liquid bag should be separated from the handbag while screening. 
• You should use a transparent, resealable bag. 
• If you have empty drinking bottles more than 100 ml, you can carry them, but they shouldn’t be a part of your hand luggage. 
• Also, ensure there aren’t any open or overfilled plastic bags. 
• During security screening, remove your belt, watch, bag, sunglasses, coins, shoes, and jacket. 

St Helena Airport Interactive Map

With the interactive map at hand, navigating the airport is a breeze. The terminal building maps for the ground and first floors make your airport experience seamless and more fulfilling. 

Conclusion

This was St Helena Airport at a glance. The airport may be small and remote, yet there is no shortage of facilities and amenities to ensure passengers feel comfortable and well served. The parking and transportation options are flexible as well, so passengers can enjoy seamless travel. True, passenger flights are suspended for now, but there is hope that operations will resume soon.

FAQs