This Petition Is Addressed To:

• The Executive Leadership of Airlink
• The St Helena Government
• Relevant Aviation and Transport Authorities
   

For over five years, customers sending airfreight to St Helena have experienced repeated and unacceptable delays, often lasting weeks or even months, despite paying high fees for timely delivery.

Evidence shows that shipments are arriving in Johannesburg in time for onward flights, yet are not being loaded, raising serious concerns about fairness, transparency, and decision-making.

This petition calls for urgent action to ensure accountability, fair allocation of freight, and compensation for those affected.

 
We, the undersigned, wish to formally raise serious and ongoing concerns regarding the handling of airfreight destined for St Helena Island, particularly in relation to shipments transiting through Johannesburg and failing to be loaded onto scheduled connecting flights.

Over a period of approximately five years, there have been repeated and well-documented instances of airfreight being delayed—often for weeks and, in many cases, months—despite customers paying significant fees in advance with the expectation of timely delivery.

These delays impact individuals who rely on essential goods arriving as scheduled, create financial strain and disrupt businesses.

Importantly, tracking information in multiple cases show that shipments are arriving in Johannesburg within sufficient time to be loaded onto the connecting flight to St Helena, yet are not being carried as expected. This raises serious concerns regarding freight allocation decisions, prioritisation, and operational transparency.

While this petition focuses primarily on airfreight, there have also been concerning instances of passenger baggage not being loaded onto flights, including items of personal and medical importance. Although secondary to the primary issue, this further highlights broader concerns regarding communication and operational decision-making.

These failures are not isolated incidents but point to a systemic issue affecting the reliability, fairness, and transparency of services that the St Helena community depends on.

There is also a growing concern within the community that freight allocation may not be applied consistently or fairly, with some shipments appearing to avoid delays while others are repeatedly affected. This perception underscores the urgent need for a transparent and standardised allocation system.

We believe that this situation is unacceptable. Customers who pay substantial costs for airfreight services are entitled to reliability, clear communication, and fair treatment.

 
We therefore call for the following actions:
1. Full Transparency
Clear and timely communication regarding why airfreight is not being loaded onto connecting flights in Johannesburg, including the criteria used to determine these decisions.

2. Accountability
Identification of the responsible parties, along with enforceable measures to ensure accountability when service standards are not met.

3. Mandatory Compensation for Delays
A clear and enforceable compensation policy must be introduced. Where airfreight is delayed beyond agreed or expected delivery timeframes, appropriate financial compensation or partial refunds should be automatically provided.

Where delays occur as a direct result of operational decisions to prioritise other freight, the responsibility for compensation should rest with the authority or decision-making body that authorised the reallocation or removal of freight.

4. Public Disclosure of Delays and Decisions
In the event of known or anticipated delays, a public announcement must be issued in advance, clearly outlining:

• The reason for the delay
• The expected duration 
• The individual(s) or authority responsible
• The compensation measures in place

5. Fair and Transparent Freight Allocation System
A standardised and auditable system must be implemented based on a first-come, first-served principle, ensuring equal treatment for all shipments.

Where customers have paid for premium or expedited delivery services (such as through carriers including DHL or Royal Mail), this may be recognised within the allocation process. However, any prioritisation must be governed by clearly defined, transparent limits on space and weight, ensuring that such services do not disproportionately delay standard shipments.

Under no circumstances should allocation be influenced by the identity of individuals or businesses associated with the goods.

6. Independent Oversight and Investigation
A formal and independent review of current practices must be conducted, with findings made publicly available.

 
Supporting Evidence (Recent Cases)
These are recent examples; however, similar issues have reportedly occurred consistently over several years:

• DHL Airfreight (Dec 2025 – Jan 2026): Paid £377.00 → delayed several weeks
• DHL Airfreight (Mar – Apr 2026): Paid £240.98 → delayed approx. 2 weeks
• Island Freight Forwarder (Oct 2025 – Jan 2026): Paid £520.72 → delayed over 2 months
• Community-reported shipment (Mar – Apr 2026): delayed approx. 1 month

Conclusion
These recent cases, alongside ongoing reports from the community over several years, clearly indicate systemic shortcomings that must be urgently addressed.

This petition seeks to ensure the implementation of fair, transparent, and accountable systems that protect the rights and expectations of all customers.

We call on all affected individuals and stakeholders to support this petition and demand immediate action.

 
Petition initiated by Danielle Melecciu (previously Yon), on behalf of affected customers and members of the St Helena community.