Cut off from the rest of the world for centuries, St. Helena, which lies isolated in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, is now reachable by plane for the first time.

The aviation breakthrough promises to lift the British-run territory from obscurity and bring it within reach of international tourists.

The arrival of the first commercial flight was also a relief for islanders frustrated by a delay to the opening because of high winds. 

After years of procrastination, London gave the green light in 2011 a full runway on the island. 

The ambition was to bring it within six hours of mainland Africa instead of the five days previously needed to make the ocean voyage from Cape Town.

British officials hoped that 30,000 tourists a year would visit the island, which is home to just 4,500 residents -- known as "Saints".