MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Falkland Islanders shocked by flight price increase
MOD/RAF charter OAI DC10-30 airbridge aircrafts FALKLAND Islanders are reeling from another increase in the cost of a flight on the Royal Air Force airbridge from Mount Pleasant Airport in the Falklands to RAF Brize Norton in the United Kingdom.
Islanders will now have to pay USD 2561.94 compared to the last price of USD 2389.22. Tourists will have to be even richer, however, with their seat costing USD 4132.48 or if they book less than 28 days in advance, it will cost them USD 6666.02. One Islander commented to Mercopress, "It's really shocking when you bear in mind you can get a round the world ticket from the US for about £750 (USD 1504.87). People just don't understand why they insist on doing this to us." Many Islanders and tourist now use the alternative Lan route through Santiago de Chile and Madrid. This journey, however, includes an overnight stop in Santiago and the flight only takes place on a Saturday. The Falkland Islands Government is currently in negotiations with the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence on the renewal of terms for use of the airbridge under a memorandum called the JPS (joint position statement). "A probably final meeting is being planned for April in London that former Falkland Islands Government Chief Executive Mike Blanch and Falklands Representative in London, Sukey Cameron, will attend." Speaking on the subject of the JPS, Councillor Mike Summers said, "FIG were satisfied with the improved arrangements proposed for access to and control of seats, and for improved booking arrangements reached at the last meeting. The discussions, however, cannot reach a proper conclusion until the results are known of the most recent tender for the airbridge service, since that will determine cost to customers. "FIG wishes to be certain that the key proviso in the JPS - that whilst the service is primarily for the support of the BFSAI services in the South West Atlantic, it also plays a key role in support of Her Majesty's Government's foreign policy in the region, to assist economic and social development of the South West Atlantic Islands - has meaningful effect. "The price of seats is critical to the development of tourism and other industries whilst capacity to S America is restricted by Argentine policy. Commenting on the newest seat prices he said, "These new price adjustments are made on the old basis and do not to any extent reflect outcomes of negotiations to date." By Lisa Johnston – SeAled PR – Stanley
Top Comments
Disclaimer & comment rulesCommenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!