Falklands second air link: Charter flights could make a second flight a non-issue

Monday, March 5th 2018 - 09:05 UTC

Full article 13 comments

Falklands Chamber of Commerce in Stanley

The recent statement entitled ‘Progress made towards establishing a second commercial Falkland Islands air link’ released by the Falkland Islands Government and sponsored by the governments of UK and Argentina, has met with a mixed reception in the Islands. While some have expressed favor others have reservations and questions.

The Chamber of Commerce Executive Secretary wrote in last week’s paper that “Although a suggested stopover in Buenos Aires is opposed by a number of our members, the Chamber hopes that a second flight will be in place in time for the commencement of the next summer season.”

As a Chamber member for the past 23 years, I would like to make it clear that endorsement of this letter by the membership was never sought; rather, it represents the opinion of the Chamber of Commerce Board.

I do not support any negotiations regarding a second commercial flight from South America to the Falkland Islands that is used as a political tool by any country.

I also strongly object to what appears to be ever more concessions on this subject by our MLAs and senior Civil Service, with no discussion on the resumption of charter flights included in these ‘negotiations’.

The resumption of charter flights during the summer season could significantly alleviate the pressure on the LATAM flight, and make the second flight, which the Chamber Board believes is “vital to the continued economic development of the Islands,” a non-issue. (PN)

Nikki Buxton
Managing Director
Synergy Information Systems Ltd

Categories: Economy, Politics, Falkland Islands, International, Latin America.

Tags: Falkland Islands, Falkland Islands Chamber of Commerce, Falklands' second weekly commercial air link, Nikki Buxton.

Top Comments

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Roger Lorton
Charter flights? But would President Macri have the cojones to overturn that which President Nestor Kirchner overturned in 2003?
Mar 05th, 2018 - 09:45 am +2
The Voice
Thats the way to go. If any Argies ring up you can say 'sorry full up! ' Get an Islands 737 and do your own charters starting from Mt Pleasant to everywhere but Argieland. Have a word with O'leary or Branston.
Mar 05th, 2018 - 08:42 am +1
Brit Bob
'I do not support any negotiations regarding a second commercial flight from South America to the Falkland Islands that is used as a political tool by any country.' Quite right.

A change in attitude is needed from Argentina.

Argentine Foreign Minister Malcorra said that historically the Argentine position was not to acknowledge for this case in particular the “self determination of peoples”, because 'kelpers' (Falkland Islanders) are a transplanted population, not aborigine (MercoPress 10 Nov 2016)..

Falklands – Implanted Population:
https://www.academia.edu/30505159/Falklands_Implanted_Population
Mar 05th, 2018 - 09:48 am +1

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