Wideawake Airfield (ASI / FHAW) is a military airfield operated jointly by the USAF and the RAF. For information relating to airfield operations please contact AIB Operations. Under the terms of an international agreement between the UK and US governments, only state aircraft (e.g. military and diplomatic flights) are authorised to land at Ascension. As an exception to this general rule, Wideawake Airfield is open for domestic commercial air services between Ascension and St Helena. It is closed to all other commercial and privately owned aircraft except in emergency situations. It is possible to travel to Ascension Island via St Helena by a monthly charter service operated by AirLink. This operates as an extension of the regular Airlink service between South Africa and St Helena. AIG is also pleased to announce new travel arrangements that will enable residents of St Helena to transit between the Falkland Islands and St Helena via Ascension. Residents of St Helena living on the Falkland Islands have the opportunity to travel from the Falklands via Ascension Island to St Helena and vice versa. Transiting between the United Kingdom and St Helena remains unavailable via the Airbridge. If you have a contract of employment on the island your employer will handle all aspects of your travel to Ascension. If you are a visitor, you may request to book a seat on the charter service. The AIG Flight Bookings Team manage all booking requests for this service. Visitors should note that no travel may be arranged without confirmation that a valid entry permit has been issued. Please use this link for accessing e-visa application.
The MOD have made available fifteen seats on each of the flights to and from Ascension and the UK, following the resumption of the Airbridge on 08 May 2023 . The AIG will manage the booking process. Flight bookings are currently accessible to staff working on Ascension, their dependents and visiting family and friends. The MOD will currently not permit transit bookings or those where Airbridge passengers intend to link visits to Ascension with travel to or from St Helena via the Airlink. However, the MOD will review this decision in the near future, once the Airbridge is re-established. To request a booking or to make enquiries, please email flight.bookings@ascension.gov.ac or call on +247 67000, extension 1111. Booking forms are also available on the AIG website here. Tickets will be issued with flight details and baggage allowances.
Ascension Island has lifted its coronavirus travel restrictions; there is no requirement to undertake testing nor quarantine on arrival.
You do not need to present proof that you have been fully vaccinated to enter Ascension.
Flights from St Helena to Ascension take place monthly, departing St Helena at 14:30 and arriving at Ascension at 16:30.
Flights from Ascension to St Helena take place on the following day, departing Ascension at 11:15 and arriving at St Helena at 13:15.
Check-in time will be provided in the flight confirmation issued or can be obtained by contacting ASI Ops on 63319.
Individuals travelling between Ascension and other destinations will need to make a separate booking via an agent or directly with AirLink. For example, individuals flying to and from the UK will need to book their St Helena to Ascension leg with the Travel and Shipping office, the South Africa to St Helena leg with Airlink and the UK to South Africa leg with an airline of their choice.
Given air access is only available on a monthly basis, it is strongly recommended a layover of one night in South Africa be taken to account for any potential delays.
Please also be aware that during the winter months between June and October, high winds and poor visibility at St Helena may cause delays to the service. If flights are cancelled or delayed, passengers are liable for accommodation and subsistence.
Upon check-in in South Africa or St Helena passengers should be prepared to produce a copy of their contract of employment or entry permit, demonstrating their permission to enter Ascension. Failure to do so may result in boarding being refused.
There are strict rules and conditions for children travelling through South Africa. Passengers should therefore ensure children have the correct documentation with them. This documentation may include an unabridged birth certificate and a notarised permission from absent parents. Further information can be found on the Airlink website.
Flights from the UK to Ascension take place twice weekly, departing the UK on Wednesday's and Sunday's at 23:10z and arriving at Ascension on Thursday's and Monday's at 08:30z.
Flights from Ascension to the UK take place twice weekly, departing Ascension on Tuesday's and Friday's at 22:05z and arriving in the UK on Wednesday's and Saturday's at 07:10z.
Check-in times are provided once tickets are issued. Please call the Base Operations recorded message service on +247 63319, which is kept up to date with the latest information on Airbridge times. Additionally, you can visit the RAF Brize Norton and Mount Pleasant Airfield websites to view arrival and departure times from both of these locations as well.
Non-military personnel residing in the Falklands who wish to visit family or friends on Ascension Island can do so via the SA Airbridge, subject to specific requirements and approvals, which can be found here.
The fares shown below are inclusive of all taxes payable to St Helena Government.
Return - £890.00
Single (ASI/HLE) (HLE/ASI) - £445.00
This applies to all persons 2 years of age and older.
Infants and children under two years of age travel free of charge.
Return - £969.00
Single (ASI - BZZ) - £510.00
Single (BZZ - ASI) - £510.00
Infants and children under two years of age travel free of charge. Children aged two years and over must pay a full adult fare.
Visitors and Tourists (non PCA members) are permitted to check in a maximum of 20kg of hold baggage.
Entitled employees (PCA members) are permitted to check in a maximum of 30Kg of hold baggage.
Passengers will also be permitted to take one piece of cabin baggage which should weigh no more than 8kg.
Baggage allowances must be adhered to strictly. Passengers travelling can book excess baggage, should they require it on the Thursday prior to the date of travel. Should excess baggage be approved, payment will need to be made before the date of departure or at passenger check-in. Excess baggage is charged at £5 per Kg.
SA Airlink rules and regulations apply for what is permissible to carry on flights between Ascension and St Helena. Please visit the SA Airlink website for details.
Residents have 55 Kg of hold luggage. Non-Residents have 27 Kg of hold luggage.
Passengers are permitted 9 kg piece of hand luggage.
Please visit the RAF Brize Norton website: https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/stations/raf-brize-norton/passenger-information/ for details.
The air service is a charter service paid for by employers operating on Ascension Island. Priority is therefore given to the employers to ensure their staff are able to travel to and from the island. Remaining seats will be released for sale to the general public three months before the date of departure of each flight. As such the majority of requests for bookings will be confirmed within three months prior to the date of departure. For flights either side of the Christmas season, bookings will be confirmed within a month of the date of departure. Tickets may be booked up until 13:00 (GMT) on the Friday the week proceeding the date of travel for private, non-PCA bookings. Ticket bookings received after this time will not be processed for travel. Passengers are advised to book as far in advance as possible.
Flight bookings are currently accessible to staff working on Ascension, their dependents and visiting family and friends. AIG is also pleased to announce new travel arrangements that will enable residents of St Helena to transit between the Falkland Islands and St Helena via Ascension. Residents of St Helena living on the Falkland Islands have the opportunity to travel from the Falklands via Ascension Island to St Helena and vice versa. Transiting between the United Kingdom and St Helena remains unavailable via the Airbridge. Non-military personnel residing in the Falklands who wish to visit family or friends on Ascension Island can do so via the SA Airbridge, subject to specific requirements and approvals, which can be found here. To request a booking or to make enquiries, please email flight.bookings@ascension.gov.ac or call on +247 67000, extension 1111. Booking forms are also available on the AIG website here. Tickets will be issued with flight details and baggage allowances.
There is no online booking system for tickets. Visitor tickets can only be booked through the AIG Flight Bookings Team. All visitors must be issued an entry VISA prior to travel. You must have a minimum of six months validity on your passport upon arrival to be granted entry to Ascension Island. To book tickets you will need to complete a Flight Booking Form and email this to flight.bookings@ascension.gov.ac
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