Saint Helena Airport (HLE)

Longwood, SH 🇸🇭 Small Airport Scheduled Service

ICAO

FHSH

IATA

HLE

Elevation

1017 ft

Region

SH-SH

Local Time

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Airport Information

GPS Code: FHSH

Local Code: Not available

Location: -15.957725° N, -5.645943° E

Continent: AF

Type: Small Airport

Arrivals
View incoming flights
Departures
View outgoing flights

External Links

Official Website ✓ Wikipedia Updated Live Flights
Airport Authority Flight Info
Public Transportation
St Helena Public Bus Service
Links verified by AI • Last updated: Nov 21, 2025
Nearby Points of Interest

What Travelers Say

AI-Generated Summary Based on web research

Travelers to Saint Helena Airport (HLE) generally express a positive sentiment, often highlighting the island's unique and friendly atmosphere as a significant draw. The opening of the airport has been a life-changing development for residents, providing crucial access to medical care and connecting the remote island to the wider world. While the journey can present unique challenges, visitors frequently describe it as a worthwhile and memorable experience.

What Travelers Love
  • Unique and Friendly Destination: Travelers consistently praise Saint Helena as a unique, fascinating, and charming place, with locals known for their friendliness.
  • Life-Changing Connectivity: The airport significantly improved access for residents, facilitating medical evacuations and bringing essential supplies and a vital link to the outside world.
  • Streamlined Immigration Process: Recent changes implemented in November 2024 have made the immigration and customs process more efficient, eliminating landing cards and introducing red/green channels for declarations.
  • Modern Terminal Facilities: The airport terminal is described as new and beautiful, with facilities that the island takes pride in. Amenities include an Airside Café and a Landside First Floor Café, offering hot and cold food and drinks.
  • Electric Car Hire Availability: Rental electric cars are available for collection and return at the airport, with the added benefit of free charging across the island's network.
Common Complaints
  • Susceptibility to Weather-Related Delays/Cancellations: Due to its remote location, mountainous topography, and prevalence of wind shear, turbulence, and low visibility, flights to HLE are prone to delays or cancellations. In 2023 and 2024, approximately 25% of weather-delayed flights were reported.
  • High Travel Costs and Limited Frequency: Flights to Saint Helena can be expensive, and with weekly services (or two in peak season), limited flight availability and high fares influence visitor numbers.
  • Lack of In-Flight Entertainment/Wi-Fi: Airlink flights, the primary commercial service, typically do not offer in-flight entertainment systems or Wi-Fi.
  • Airport Operating Hours: HLE is currently only certified to operate during daylight hours, impacting potential flight scheduling.
  • Need for Advance Booking for Ground Transportation: Taxis are not readily available at the airport unless booked in advance, necessitating pre-arranged transfers for visitors.

Despite the logistical challenges and the potential for weather-related disruptions, Saint Helena Airport has transformed accessibility to this remote island. Recent efforts to streamline customs and immigration processes aim to further enhance the traveler experience, though factors like flight costs and weather remain key considerations for visitors planning a trip.

Generated False weeks ago

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This summary is automatically generated by AI based on web research of traveler reviews and experiences. AI-generated content may not always be 100% accurate.

Current Weather Conditions

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Airport Routes

Top Routes (by observations)
Newly Discovered
Popular Flight Routes
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Destination IATA City Aircraft Type Airline Details Route Map
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Top Airlines

Operating at Saint Helena Airport
Airlines by Flight Activity
Based on observed flight operations and route network
Airline Routes Flights Destinations Last Activity
1 5 1 Dec 6, 2025
Showing top 1 airlines by flight activity. Data includes observed departures and route networks from this airport.
For Pilots

Designation Length Width Surface Status
01/19 6398 ft 148 ft ASP Active Lighted

Type Description Frequency
APP - 119.1 MHz
TWR - 118.2 MHz

Ident Name Type Frequency

Ground Transportation

Last updated: Nov 21, 2025
Taxis

Taxis are available to meet all flight arrivals and for departures, but they must be pre-booked. It is essential to arrange your taxi with one of the island's local operators well in advance of your travel to ensure availability.

Rental Cars

Several local companies offer car rentals, which can be collected and returned at the airport. Pre-booking is mandatory and should be done directly with the rental company before you arrive. Driving is on the left, and island roads are often narrow and winding.

Public Transportation

A dedicated airport shuttle service operates on flight days, providing transport between the airport and various locations, including Jamestown. This service requires advance booking to secure a seat. There is no regular, scheduled public bus route that services the airport terminal.

Nearby Airports

Saint Helena Heliport
SH-0002
Longwood, SH
Heliport
~1 km away
Distances are approximate and calculated as straight-line distances.