Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with airlines on the potential merits of direct flights between the UK and Saint Helena.

The Secretary of State has not had any recent discussions with airlines on the merits of direct flights to St Helena. Discussions on air services are led by the St Helena Government. A weekly air service currently operates from South Africa to St Helena and will increase to twice weekly in the forthcoming peak tourism season. St Helena has an "open skies" policy and there is no limit on the St Helena Government's ability to procure additional air services.

The UK Government has regular discussions with St Helena Government on maximising the benefits of St Helena Airport.