Airlink (South Africa) (4Z, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo) has signed a final agreement with the government of St Helena (SHG) for the provision of both regular and chartered passenger services to/from the island, a British Overseas Territory located in the South Atlantic Ocean.

Following a Request For Proposals issued late last year, Airlink was named preferred bidder for the provision of a scheduled commercial air service to St. Helena Airport last month. However, according to a statement issued on Friday, July 21, Airlink will provide not only scheduled commercial air services to St. Helena Island, but also a monthly charter service between St Helena and Ascension Island on Ascension Island, located 1,300 kilometres northwest of St. Helena.

Subject to regulatory approvals, the flights to/from Johannesburg O.R. Tambo will operate weekly using Windhoek International, Namibia, as a technical stop on either sector. Service is on-board ETOPS-certified E190 equipment.

"Following the necessary approvals and proving flight, SHG will be able to announce the commencement date for a service between St. Helena Airport and OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa," the statement said. "It is expected that the monthly service between St. Helena and Ascension Island will start soon after and operate on the second Saturday of each month."

The contract runs for three years from the date of the first commercial service.