Napoleon could have done with
one, and so, too, could the Zulu king Cetewayo and
more than 6,000 Boers. But at last the island on which these souls were held
captive is to have an airport.
Saint Helena's airport will inevitably change life on,
and the unique environment of, one of the world's remotest islands. At 1,200
miles from Africa – the nearest port is in southern Angola – and 1,800 miles
from South America, the UK overseas territory is literally in the middle of
nowhere.
The prospect of a two-day rather than a two-week trip to the UK must
surely appeal to most "Saints", as well as arrest population decline.
It must at least be possible to have modern communications without concreting
over the flora and fauna whose diversity astonished Darwin.
The first passengers
are not due to arrive until 2016, which means that Napoleon misses out both
ways. The 200th anniversary of his arrival will have come and gone by then.
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