MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Private jet couldn't fly direct from Argentine to Falklands.

Government House has asked the British Embassy to follow up reports, after a request from Acting Governor Harriet Hall, which Argentina refused permission for a private plane to fly from Argentina to the Falklands.

The private flight, which landed here on Saturday, had to fly from Montevideo in Uruguay after being refused permission to fly from Argentina.

The American businessmen, on a private luxury jet, were delayed by more than three and a half hours because of the unexpected change to their flight plan.

They had asked for permission to fly from Iguazu in Northern Argentina directly to the Falklands, but were told that this was impossible by the Argentine Aviation Authority.

Accordingly they were required to fly to Montevideo in Uruguay, complete all the necessary formalities and then continue their journey to the Falklands with the Argentines approval.

The three engines Falcon 50 touched down at MPA at 8.30 in the evening, nearly four hours later than originally planned.

The aircraft is owned by Bruce White who has business connections with the Marriott Hotel chain. He was accompanied by five of his friends who he'd invited along for the whistle-stop tour of South America and the Falklands.(FIBS)