Atlantic Star Airlines (London Luton) has postponed the launch of flights to the remote British Overseas Territory of St. Helena following delays in the airfield's certification.

Following the arrival of a Comair (South Africa) (CAW, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo) B737-800 on the island from Johannesburg O.R. Tambo last week, it was discovered that further safety and operational work would be required ahead of the airfield's opening, originally scheduled for May 22.

"One outcome of the Implementation Flight has been the gathering of additional data on turbulence and windshear on the approach to Runway 20 (from the North)," the St. Helena government said. "As a result of the data gathered and the conditions experienced, it has been decided that there is some additional work to be done in order to ensure the safe operation of scheduled passenger flights to and from St. Helena Airport. The Official Opening of St. Helena Airport will now take place at a later date which has yet to be determined."

As a consequence Atlantic Star, which had intended to inaugurate its London Luton-Banjul-St Helena charter on May 22 with a follow-up flight on June 5, has now postponed those plans indefinitely.

St. Helena's Air Service Provider, Comair (operating as a British Airways (BA, London Heathrow) franchisee), is also affected by the delay.