MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falkland Islands: Breaking News.

Headlines:
Ex-Governor Tatham returns for work on Dictionary;
New 747-300 aircraft for airbridge; New route for London bus.

Ex-Governor Tatham returns for work on Dictionary

A FORMER Governor is back in the Islands for six weeks to work on a collection of Falklands biographies.

David Tatham, who was Governor from 1992 until 1995, is working on the Dictionary of Falklands Biography, a voluntary project to research and publish details on everyone of significance or interest connected with the Falkland Islands and with South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.

The Dictionary of Falklands Biography will start with the discovery of the Falklands in 1592 and conclude in 1981, just before the Argentine invasion.

Mr Tatham is editing the dictionary and he said, "...although this is a private visit funded by me, I get a small grant from councillors and from the Shackleton Scholarship Fund."

He says he has two objectives: "To complete research in the archives on the various people I am writing up, and to recruit writers for about 50 of the 500 or so personalities who still don't have an author - those I call the ?orphans'."

New 747-300 aircraft for airbridge

THE Air Atlanta aircraft dedicated to the MOD scheduled South Atlantic airbridge is due to be replaced. The current aircraft (747-200 series) is due to be retired from service on February 18 and will be temporarily replaced for two flights, after which a newer aircraft will be permanently assigned to the route.

The permanent replacement aircraft is a 747-300 series; that is 10 years younger than the current aircraft and is scheduled to begin operations on February 28.

Captain Jim Philippson of Media Operations at Mount Pleasant explained that the 747-300 has a longer upper deck and more seats, although there is a reduction in the number of ?business' class seats compared to the 200 series. A 300 series has been used occasionally before on this route. "Whilst the overall number of seats will be higher, the payload limitations will remain similar because of the balance of freight that has to be carried on the same aircraft.

"Therefore, although the total number of passengers that are carried will not change, there will be greater scope for passengers to be seated throughout the aircraft thereby increasing the level of comfort."

Captain Philippson said the use of the runway at RAF Fairford while the runway at RAF Brize Norton is being resurfaced is due to end soon.

Whilst the initial plan was for operations to transfer back to RAF Brize Norton during early January, the contractors undertaking the work have had a few problems with the new runway lighting.

He said, "We expect the transfer back to normal operations at RAF Brize Norton to be early February. When this happens, the check-in times for passengers on the South Atlantic airbridge will be changed from those being used currently. These will be promulgated when known."

When travelling on the Airbridge if there are any points that any passenger wishes to raise they should do so with the Passenger Reporting Officer (PRO), said Captain Philippson. "The PRO is a nominated senior military officer at the Lt Cdr/Maj/Sqn Ldr/ level travelling on the flight who is tasked with monitoring the performance of the service provided and completes a written report on each flight.

"Any comment on the service, positive or negative, should be passed on to him or her so that feedback will be passed on to the appropriate area at the time the issues arise." During your flight the PRO can be contacted via the cabin crew.

New route for London bus

A FIRST for the streets of Stanley, a double decker bus will soon be the new attraction for tourists.

The Falkland Islands Company Ltd (FIC) is importing the red Routemaster which has become a London icon, like the Beefeaters and Guardsmen, and has many unique claims to fame.

FIC General Manager Roger Spink said the Routemaster has lasted longer than any other bus in Britain, in terms of fleet operation.

The Golden Jubilee of the Routemaster was marked in 2004 as it was fifty years since the first prototype was unveiled to the public.

Mr Spink said Routemasters now operate all over the world providing tourists with transport including countries such as Canada, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, US Virgin Islands and Edinburgh in Scotland.

"Our bus, we believe will add to the interest of a trip to Stanley for tourists and emphasise the close links between Britain and the Falkland Islands," said Mr Spink. It is due to arrive in early February. (PN)