Travel To/From Ascension Island

28 April 2017

Travel and Shipping

Following the rerouting of the Airbridge last week, we appreciate that there is
considerable anxiety on island.

We are working incredibly hard with MOD and the Foreign Office to find a solution to
the current access issues as soon as we can, with the Administrator, Marc Holland,
working from the UK as part of those discussions.
Ministers are being kept up to date with the issues and the potential solutions, and
we are in discussions with local organisations to find solutions taking account of
essential passenger movements, and the needs of vital public services.
The Royal Mail Ship (RMS) will continue to provide access to the island and is
scheduled to run until February 2018 on its normal schedule. The next RMS is
scheduled to leave the dry dock on 3 May. However, this service is fully booked, and
affected employees should contact their employers about their transport
arrangements.

The tender process is underway to provide an airlink to St Helena in the very near
future including a minimum of a monthly flight to Ascension. The FIRS cargo service
remains unaffected and will continue to operate as normal.

We are working with the MOD to find an interim option to allow the movement of
personnel both to and from Ascension. However it is likely that these interim
measures will allow only the transportation of essential personnel and goods.
Until further notice, we suggest you work with your employer to re-route via St
Helena on the RMS and approach your travel insurance regarding any financial
losses incurred.

If you have any concerns please contact aigenquiries@ascension.gov.ac in the first
instance. For commercial passengers please contact Ascension Island Flight
Bookings on flight.bookings@ascension.gov.ac
Ascension Island Government
Administrator’s Office
Georgetown
Ascension Island
27th April 2017