MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Falklands and MOD discussing improving airbridge “quality”
FCO and FIG reviewing the Joint Position Statement The Falkland Islands Government (FIG) are in negotiations with the UK Foreign Office to improve the 'quality and deliverability' to Islanders of the military airbridge between the islands and UK.
Councillor Mike Summers confirmed Wednesday that he had had a very positive meeting with the Foreign Office last week and they had agreed to re-negotiate the now outdated Joint Position Statement on the airbridge. He said the motivation for the meetings was that it appeared increasingly impossible to forsee expansion of flights to the East and West of the islands and there was no prospect of a second flight per week from Santiago. Also in the 'current climate' there was no possibility of any discussions with Argentina regarding flights through that country. Councillor Summers said, a broader strategy was required, "â€Ã‚¦to strengthen and expand to take care of all Falkland Islands economic requirements," particularly in terms of tourism, and hydrocarbons works next year. The Ministry of Defence have proposed they will sell seats to the FIG according to demand. FIG would then sell the seats on to their customers. He said numbers would be variable, "â€Ã‚¦according to our perception of the demandâ€Ã‚¦. but expandable." FIG would also have the option in the longer term to call up a fourth flight (there are currently three flights per fortnight) if necessary, and government would cover the extra costs. The new agreement, he explained, would involve some commercial risk to FIG, however they would also effectively be party to the charter contract meaning "â€Ã‚¦increased visibility in how it operates." All of this would come under the broad umbrella that a military emergency would take priority. Councillor Summers said he hoped tourism and others would be willing to shoulder some of the commercial risk, for example by purchasing seats in advance. He hoped to see the new agreement in place by early next year. By Lisa Johnston, SeAled PR - Stanley
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