A Titan Airways A318 aircraft has made a successful visit to St Helena airport. The aircraft brought with it much needed COVID-19 test kits, medical equipment and personnel, along with returning residents.

The aircraft was chartered by the UK Government to fly from London Stansted to St Helena via Accra in Ghana and Ascension Island, and was chosen for its ability to handle shorter runways and category C airfields.

Once passengers had disembarked from the aircraft, and cargo and baggage had been off-loaded, the crew then conducted a series of circuits, landings and departures to gain knowledge of the conditions at St Helena airport. Although the wind was quite strong on occasions, the aircraft performed very well and the crew gained valuable experience of operating to the airport. The experience will assist with additional humanitarian or repatriation flights to and from the UK should they be required.

On 21 April, the aircraft departed for its return leg to London Stansted airport via a fuel stop in Accra, Ghana, repatriating British nationals and some medical patients to the UK.