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On Monday, 9 February 2026 His Excellency Governor Nigel Phillips CBE and the Honourable Chief Minister Dr Rebecca Cairns-Wicks MBE made a statement on the current airport disruption to the media.

This was broadcast on SAMS Radio 1 and Saint FM and is available on Spotify:

SAMS Radio 1 – https://open.spotify.com/episode/4U3nlUUz4VXDB4eXpBWlwy?si=FDItmOqpRieGCJdZDaLepA

Saint FM – https://open.spotify.com/episode/4YiPPeR7kBLP4N53mXpEh5?si=YiyUYuVnQnaK-4LbT4UwDA

For those unable to listen to the broadcast, the transcript appears below:

[Governor]

The Chief Minister and I know that many of you are concerned about the disruption at the airport and the impact it is having on individuals, families, businesses and medical needs. We want to provide an update on progress to-date and next steps.

First, we are pleased to confirm that the airport has now secured regulatory approval from Air Safety Support International to operate at Category 4. This is a very important step and has only been possible thanks to the Herculean efforts of the airport team, our Fire and Rescue Service, the Gold Command group and the regulator.

Most importantly, this means medevac flights can operate.

Category 4 also means that small aircraft can land. This is not a solution to replace general passenger transport. But it does provide a safe and viable route for getting essential spare parts and specialist engineers to the island. This will help us move forward at speed with getting the airport fully operational again.

At the same time, we need to manage expectations. Category 4 does not allow for Airlink’s commercial flights to resume, that requires Category 6 status.

At this time the only flights that have been cancelled are those that were due to depart on 7, 10, 14 and 15 February. This is a moving picture and future flights remain under active review. Airlink have currently suspended future bookings on St Helena flights to avoid confusion until there is greater clarity on when flights will resume.

We are aware of speculation circulating on social media, including questions of blame and calls for investigations. We understand that people want answers, so does government, so does the airport team.   

Let us be clear: we will absolutely examine what has happened, not least because none of us want this to happen again. That work will be done with transparency, but it must be done in the right way and at the right time.  We will not take any action that prejudices the proper processes that will follow.

For now it is critical we keep our eye on the ball and nothing can be allowed to interfere with the immediate operational effort to restore our commercial air access.

Chief Minister…

[Chief Minister]

As the Governor has set out, this is a challenging time for many and I know the airport’s temporary closure has caused real worry and disruption. I want to assure everyone we are all doing our very best to support those people affected and resolve the situation as soon as possible. This is a collective effort by many and I would like to thank everyone for their efforts and patience as we work through this together. Beyond Gold Command, this includes relevant agencies, tourism, private businesses and local media services.

For now, our priorities remain:

Gold Command continues to meet daily, and they are working closely with all local agencies and international partners.

Contact points have been shared in the press and online for those with enquiries about bookings, travel logistics; immigration; pharmacy and health.

[Governor]

Thank you, Chief Minister.

To close.  The community’s patience and resilience are hugely appreciated. We remain fully committed to guiding the Island through this calmly, transparently and undertake to share updates as they become available

On behalf of the Chief Minister and myself, thank you for your attention..

#StHelena #AirAccess

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The public are advised that the Jamestown Wharf will be closed to all members of the public from 06:00 on Wednesday, 11 February 2026, due to the arrival of the cruise ship MV Azamara Journey. Any closure will be weather dependent and based on the sea conditions on the day.

The Jamestown Wharf will remain closed until the vessel has departed.

Access to the Jamestown Wharf will be strictly prohibited and will be limited only to those who have made prior arrangements with Port Control.

Boat owners are further advised that no maintenance works will be permitted on the Wharf during this period.

Port Control thanks the public for their cooperation during this time.

St Helena Airport today announced that they have secured regulatory approval from Airport Safety Support International (ASSI) to operate at Category 4. This certification will permit small aircraft, such as medical evacuation flights, to use the airport. This provides additional reassurance to the public in the event of medical emergencies. It also opens up a viable air transport route for essential spare parts and technical personnel.

The aerodrome rescue and firefighting category defines the types of aircraft an airport can safely manage based on its firefighting capability. Achieving Category 4 was made possible with the support of the SHG Fire and Rescue Service and additional training for airport personnel.

This categorisation does not allow for the resumption of Airlink commercial airline operations. 

Operational Status, Flight, and Immigration Enquiries

Gold Command continues to meet daily. We are actively working with local agencies and international partners to restore normal airport operations (Category 6) as quickly and safely as possible. 

For specific information regarding flight bookings or travel logistics, passengers should contact Solomons Travel Agency directly at 22523 or  flights@solomons.co.sh.

Any immigration concerns can be directed to cienquiries@sainthelena.gov.sh.

For pharmacy assistance or general health-related questions, please contact Jamestown Hospital at 22500 during normal opening hours.

#StHelena #AirAccess #Category4

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Following the temporary closure of St Helena Airport on Friday 6 February, Gold Command will continue to meet daily to coordinate a resolution. We understand the uncertainty this situation brings to residents and visitors alike, and we remain committed to providing updates as the situation evolves.

Medical Continuity and Overseas Treatment

The Health and Social Care Portfolio is working closely with patients scheduled for overseas medical referrals. Individuals currently awaiting overseas medical treatment will receive ongoing contact and regular updates regarding their specific travel plans and appointments.

Support for Visitors on Island

We wish to reassure all tourists and visitors that their health remains a priority.  If your prescribed medication is depleted as a result of the flight delays, and you require essential medication please note the following:

For pharmacy assistance or general health-related questions, please contact Jamestown Hospital at 22500 during normal opening hours.

Operational Status, Flight and Immigration Enquiries

Gold Command is actively exploring all available options and working with international partners to restore normal airport operations as quickly and safely as possible.   

For specific information regarding flight bookings or travel logistics, passengers should contact Solomons Travel Agency directly at 22523 or  flights@solomons.co.sh  or Airlink at Airlink Reservations Support desk on +27 11 451 7300 select option 1 or E-Ticketing@flyairlink.com, alternatively contact the Customer Care Team on CustomerCare@FlyAirlink.com.

Any immigration concerns can be directed to cienquiries@sainthelena.gov.sh.

#StHelena #AltogetherHealthier

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St Helena is still experiencing a north-westerly swell, resulting in unsettled sea conditions in both James and Rupert’s Bay.

Boat owners are advised to ensure their vessels are securely moored during this period.

Rupert’s Beach and the Jetty are now open, but the public are advised to exercise caution in these areas. Swimmers should exercise extreme caution when entering the water in James and Rupert’s Bay and refrain from using life rings and other lifesaving equipment for recreational swimming.

Vehicle owners are advised to avoid parking near the rails on the seafront and individuals are asked to use caution when in close proximity to the railings due to the potential risk of wave overspray and associated hazards.

The Emergency Planning Department will continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide further updates as necessary.

The St Helena Customs and Immigration Department is aware that the temporary closure of St Helena Airport may cause concern for some residents and visitors, particularly in relation to their immigration status.

We would like to reassure the public that we are closely monitoring the situation. At this time, there is no action required from individuals in relation to their immigration status as a result of the airport closure.

Our teams are working closely with relevant partners and we will continue to assess any potential impact.

Should it become necessary to contact specific individuals, further guidance will be issued directly and through official channels.

For enquiries, please contact Customs and Immigration via email at cienquiries@sainthelena.gov.sh during normal office hours.

We thank everyone for their patience and understanding.

The St Helena Government regrets to inform the public that St Helena Airport is currently unable to operate as normal. Following technical assessments, the aviation regulator is expected to confirm that the airport must be downgraded from Category 6. This decision is based on fixed international safety requirements and a lack of confidence in the operational readiness of the fire tenders, meaning the airport cannot safely support standard flight operations at this time.

A downgrading from Category 6 means Airlink will not operate. As such Airlink flights will be cancelled until the issue can be resolved. We believe at this stage that this will affect all flights until at least 20 February. We will keep future flights under review until we can give certainty around the resumption of business as usual. We are working to confirm whether medical evacuation flights will be affected.

We recognise that this will affect many people, including those with upcoming travel plans, those expecting visitors and individuals with urgent medical needs that require travel off-Island. We know this will cause concern and we are deeply aware of the disruption this situation creates for families, businesses and the wider community.

We are working urgently with all stakeholders to understand the full impact. This includes close cooperation with Airlink, Solomons and other partners so that we can address questions, provide clarity where possible and ensure that advice and updates are consistent and timely.

Our priority is to restore normal operations as quickly and safely as possible. We are assessing all available options. No aircraft will operate until we are fully confident that the airport meets the safety standards required to keep passengers, crew and staff safe.

In response to this situation, a Major Incident has been declared. This means that the Chief Secretary has assumed control as Gold Commander and is directing the response to this incident through a Gold Command group comprising key stakeholders. The Chief Secretary will keep Executive Council informed and ensure public messaging is updated. Operational contact points will be shared as soon as possible.

As we receive further information we will share it with the public and will continue to work with partners to explore all possible solutions for those affected.

We thank everyone for their patience and understanding while we work to resolve this situation.

For those with flight bookings, please contact Solomons or Airlink:

Solomons phone: 22523

Solomons email: flights@solomons.co.sh

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To ensure the successful completion of the Roads Slurry Programme, preparation and cleaning work is set to begin on the final phase of the project.

Closure Details

In addition to the ongoing daily closures between Longwood Gate and Hutt’s Gate, new daily road closures will be implemented as follows:

Please be advised that roadworks may occasionally be scheduled over weekends. The Roads Section will provide advance notice to the public before any weekend closures take place.

Work Schedule

The project will be completed in two distinct stages:

Access for Residents

Residents living within the affected stretch are kindly asked to contact the Roads Supervisory Staff at 23640 to coordinate any essential travel during closure hours.

Appropriate signage will be displayed throughout the area. We request the public’s full cooperation to help us complete these works safely and on schedule.

We thank you for your patience and apologise for any inconvenience caused.

At their meeting on Tuesday 27 January 2026, Executive Council endorsed the Financial Services Regulation Policy 2025 that was approved by the former Executive Council in January 2025; the approval  of the Financial Services (Amendment) Bill, 2026 to be presented as Government business to the Legislative Council and the approval in principle of the Financial Services (Amendment) Regulations, 2026, to come into force following enactment of the Financial Services (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

The Financial Services Regulation Policy aims to modernise selected parts of our financial services regulatory framework. It is driven by the Sustainable Economic Development Strategy (SEDS) 2023-2033, as well as SHG’s Vision and Strategy. The SEDS states that “SHG has identified that St Helena’s financial services laws and regulations require reform and modernisation to encourage competition within the sector and support economic growth. There are substantial gaps in current legislation. SHG’s objective is to enhance the financial services landscape by removing barriers to entry, while working toward compliance with international best practice and recommendations.” It notes that comprehensive reform and updates to existing financial services laws and regulations are required for St Helena to achieve its development goals.

The Financial Services Regulation Policy 2025 has four key objectives:

The objectives are all inter-related. In particular, success in making St Helena a commercially attractive destination for financial services businesses in turn requires a more modern regulatory framework to cope with the needs and expectations of new businesses, especially overseas owned or managed businesses which choose to establish a presence in St Helena. In addition, the regulatory architecture helps to fulfill the customers’ needs of improved consumer protection measures and high-level service standards, in turn increasing the confidence and accountability within the financial service sector.

Minister for Economic Development, Karl Thrower, commented:

“This is an important step in modernising St Helena’s financial services framework. It supports our Sustainable Economic Development Strategy by making St Helena a more attractive place to do business—removing unnecessary barriers, encouraging healthy competition, and strengthening governance.

Just as importantly, these reforms enhance protections for customers by improving consumer safeguards and raising service and accountability standards.”

#StHelena #FinancialServicesRegulations

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The St Helena Government (SHG) is pleased to announce that the St Helena Badge of Honour has been officially presented to brothers Anthony ‘Futcher’ Henry and Doran Henry for their lifelong, exceptional service to the island’s maritime environment and sea rescue.

His Excellency the Governor, Nigel Phillips CBE, recently hosted a ceremony at Plantation House to formally present the Badge of Honour to Anthony and Doran. The awards were presented in the presence of close family and friends, recognising the brothers’ lifelong dedication and exceptional contributions to the island’s maritime sector and emergency services.

Decades of Maritime Mastery

The Henry brothers’ expertise is rooted in a lifetime of experience on the Jamestown wharf. Learning their craft from an early age under the guidance of their father, ‘Charlie Boar,’ they developed an intimate knowledge of St Helena’s coastal waters and fishing grounds.

This foundational skill set led to invaluable contribution to the island’s maritime operations. For decades, both men were integral to the complex cargo and fuel tanker operations managed by Solomons. Their ability to, on occasion in the past, liaise directly with ship Captains and execute boat manoeuvring in rough seas was often the deciding factor in successful medivac transfer and successfully landing essential supplies for the island.

A Commitment to Sea Rescue

In addition to their professional duties, Anthony and Doran provided significant support to the island’s search and rescue capabilities over several decades:

HE Governor Nigel Philllips CBE commented:

“It was a great pleasure to present the Badge of Honour to Anthony and Doran Henry at Plantation House. Their lifelong dedication to St Helena’s maritime safety and their specialised skills in our coastal waters represent a remarkable legacy of service.

From their early days on the wharf to their decades of commitment to sea rescue, they have played a vital role in protecting our community and ensuring the delivery of essential services to the island. This award recognises not only their past achievements but also the invaluable knowledge they have contributed to our maritime heritage.”

Community Impact and Recognition

The brothers’ service has previously been noted at the highest levels, having been recognised by HRH Princess Anne during her visit to St Helena in 2002.

In awarding the Badge of Honour, SHG acknowledges not only their technical bravery and past service but also their status as respected mentors within the maritime community. Their instincts and experience remain a vital part of the island’s seafaring heritage.

SHG extends its warm congratulations to Anthony ‘Futcher’ and Doran Henry on receiving this well-deserved recognition.

Note to Editors

The St Helena Badge of Honour is awarded by the Governor to residents who have provided loyal and valuable service worthy of recognition by the St Helena Government, or for acts of bravery.

Photos

HE the Governor, Mrs Phillips, Anthony and Doran Henry, and invited family and friends

The Certificates of Honour awarded to Anthony and Doran

HE the Governor congratulating Anthony Henry

The Governor and Doran Henry

A toast to Anthony and Doran Henry

The brothers and their mother, Mrs Ethel Henry

The original Search and Rescue Team before the official St Helena Search and Rescue were established. From left: Kelvin Williams, Doran Henry, Graham Sim and Anthony Henry

#StHelena #BadgeOfHonour #SeaRescue #MaritimeService

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