Sub-tropical British island to get new airport

A tiny British overseas territory that is only accessible via a long flight and a two-day boat journey is to be transformed by the construction of a multi-million-pound airport. According to The Guardian, the sub-tropical island of St Helena, 2,000 miles off the west coast of Africa, is currently only accessible on a boat that is due to go out of service in five years’ time. The airport, which could cost £40 million, will reportedly be ready by 2010. There are 4,000 British citizens on the island, which has export industries including frozen tuna fish, coffee and honey. Pamela Young, the island’s director of tourism, is quoted as saying: “Getting here is an adventure in itself. It takes two days from Ascension Island or three and a half days from Namibia. The journey itself takes up a lot of your leave.” While on the subject of Namibia, it has been announced that Air Namibia will introduce direct flights between London and Windhoek as from July 2005. Previously, passengers from the UK had to go via Frankfurt to pick up the Air Namibia flight to reach Windhoek. The new service, commencing on 2 July, will leave from Gatwick on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday evenings, arriving in Windhoek the next morning. Return flights will leave Windhoek on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday evenings, arriving London Gatwick the next morning. Report by Tim Gillett, News From Abroad Ltd