ST. HELENA BUILDS OWN AIRPORT

Eyewitness News 14^th November 2013 by Rafiq Wagiet

Jamestown, the capital of St. Helena Island. Picture: Wikipedia

The island of St. Helena could soon become the holiday destination of choice for Capetonians.

The tiny island in the South Atlantic will soon be getting an airport, with a direct five-hour flight to and from the Western Cape.

The airport, currently under construction, is set for completion in 2015.

St. Helena Governor Mark Capes says he hopes the airport will help to re-establish a century-old link between Cape Town and the island.

“We’ll be developing hotels, restaurants and other leisure facilities to accommodate growth in that sector. Our relationship with the Western Cape goes back over 350 years. There are close historical, family and commercial links.”

He says Capetonians can play a crucial role in growing the island’s economy.

“As we connect St. Helena with the world we look to our friends in the Cape to partner with us in developing our economy.”