MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falkland Islands: Flights dispute in limbo as diplomatic talks continue

FALKLANDS, UK and Argentine diplomats today remain locked in sensitive discussions as the latest dispute over the next of kin flights enters its second week.

About a dozen Islanders planning to travel on October 3 and 10 were last week wiped off the booking system by Chilean carrier LAN - together with an unknown number of other passengers - apparently following pressure from the Argentine Government, with whom the airline has a business arrangement.

The reasons remain unclear, but Falklands Governor Alan Huckle told the Penguin News: “We are having to consider as many options as we can. Hopefully these matters will be resolved.”

Government officials have for months been conducting delicate behind-the-scenes negotiations in an effort to ensure a large group of relatives of Argentine war dead could visit in October.

While numerous smaller parties have visited in recent years, this particular visit coincides with the inauguration of the Darwin Cemetery.

Controversy surrounded the visit from the start as Argentina attempted to waive its own ban on charter flights to the Falklands, imposed in 2002.

The two governments later agreed relatives would visit on the weekly LAN schedule, and a compromise appeared to have been reached that a larger plane could be used – an Airbus A340 with 258 seats instead of the regular A320 with 168 seats.

This way, the government was assured its normal quota of passengers would not be reduced, while the Argentine Government could secure at least 180 seats for relatives – plus the balance of those not taken up by commercial passengers.

The apparent refusal to honour the agreement met with disdain earlier this week when Cllr Mike Summers said arrangements for the flights had been “abused by the other side.”

He said the issue had been taken up at “the highest possible level”, but he was hopeful a resolution might be reached.

“I cannot tell you when we will have the capacity issue bottomed out, but all efforts continue to ensure all bookings are honoured.”

As government leaders continue to focus on maintaining meaningful dialogue, today they are coincidentally also hosting a delegation from the Argentine Families’ Commission.

Four members of the Commission arrived in the Falklands on Wednesday for a four-day visit to discuss logistical arrangements for the relatives.

As far as the relatives are concerned, the Falklands stance remains unequivocal. Cllr Summers recently emphasised: “We want the next of kin to be able to visit and pay their respects to their dead. They are victims as well in their own way.”

Questions directed to LAN in Stanley were yesterday referred to the company’s media relations office in Santiago. The airline would not say how many passengers had been affected, but said it had confirmed all issued tickets for the October flights “in accordance with regular procedure.”

“All passengers with issued tickets for these dates have their flights confirmed,” a LAN statement read. “In addition, the company has been contacting those individuals who had not (been) issued tickets in order to offer them alternative flight dates, providing all necessary facilities for their travels.”

Argentine relatives visiting next month will have less than two hours at Darwin Cemetery, after arriving at MPA in the morning, during which time they will be escorted to and from the graves. They will return on the same aircraft on which they arrive. (Penguin News)