MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands Councillors say “NO” to air link with Argentina.

Plans announced today by Aerolineas Argentinas to commence a twice weekly air link between Buenos Aires and the Falklands have received a firm and precise refusal by the Falkland Islands Government.

Councillor Mike Summers, one of the eight elected members of the Government, said that the application by Aerolineas to the Civil Aviation Authority to obtain approval for the service was discussed by Councillors on Wednesday. 'We became aware of the application when the Deputy Governor Russ Jarvis informed us on Wednesday. No Councillor here will agree to Aerolineas flying to the Islands and nor will the public and that will be an end to that', he stated firmly.

Even if the Civil Aviation Authority do approve the application by Aerolineas, the proposed twice weekly service could not commence without the authorization of the Falklands Government - which comprises the 8 democratically elected members of the Legislative Council.

Currently Lan Chile operates a weekly service from Santiago to the Falklands, via Puerto Montt and Punta Arenas. Once a month the aircraft stops in Rio Gallegos enroute to the Islands, and the again at Gallegos on the return flight a week later. Argentine next-of-kin visiting the War Cemetery at Darwin make frequent use of this service.

One Government official said, 'We already have a link to Argentina through Lan Chile stopping in Rio Gallegos, as agreed under the 1999 Joint Statement, which was signed by the Argentine, British & Falklands Governments. Aerolineas seem unaware of that fact'.

Patrick Watts (MP) Stanley