It had originally been hoped commercial operations would commence in May but they were halted after significant windshear was reported by aircraft coming in to land.

National newspapers leapt on the story with many reporting over the weekend that the £250 million facility, funded by the British government, would never open.

However, Chris Pickard, the island’s director of tourism, said data was being collected by aircraft that are still landing at the facility which can be used to mitigate the windshear problem.

He said the more that is known about it and can be fed into flight and simulation systems, the more likely commercial operations will resume.

However, he added one solution might be to use smaller aircraft with 40 to 50 seats than the originally intended 100 seat aircraft, which could then land further up the runway.

Pickard said: “We are getting all the data in place. That’s going to take a bit of time and nobody is sure how long.

“At the moment about four or five planes have landed on the island. It is not make or break for the island, we’re hoping to have something ready so we can give the right product for our visitors.

“I would hope in the next few months [commercial operations will resume)].”

He added St Helena’s mail ship had originally been scheduled to make its last run to the island this month before its retirement from service.

However, a further three sailings into September have now been added to its itinerary. Pickard believes this gives some indication as to when the authorities hope to resume flights to the island.