The government of Ascension Island has confirmed that all heavy aircraft flights at Ascension Island are cancelled until further notice, pending repairs to the 3,000 metre asphalt runway 13/31.

"We do not expect South Atlantic Airbridge flights (operating with the Voyager aircraft) to recommence before 2019/20," the statement says. It adds that emergency medical evacuation flights will not be affected.

As previously reported, South Atlantic Airbridge operations via Ascension Island were suspended due to the condition of the runway. The island has been used as a stopover for the Royal Air Force (RFR, Brize Norton), connecting Mount Pleasant International in the Falkland Islands with Brize Norton on the United Kingdom mainland. The flights were operated using AirTanker (9L, Brize Norton) A330-200 s which have instead been using Dakar Yoff-Léopold Sédar Senghor International, Senegal as a stopover since April 16.

Travellers and residents wishing to get to and from the remote island are now restricted to travel via sea aboard the Royal Mail Ship St. Helena.