MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands Mount Pleasant Airport main runway has been resurfaced

At a socially distanced ceremony, Brigadier Nick Sawyer, Commander British Forces South Atlantic Islands and MPC Base Commander, Gp Capt Rupert Joel were pleased to re-open the full runway. BFSAI

The full main runway at the Falkland Islands Mount Pleasant Airport has re-opened after the completion of resurfacing works covering 3,000 meters, the British Forces South Atlantic Islands, BFSAI, command announced this week.

According to a press release, the works used over 700 tons of asphalt and were completed seven days ahead of schedule.

“The works have meant that there has been no disruption to operational capability and now allow for access for a wider variety of aircraft into Mount Pleasant Complex,” said a BFSAI spokesperson.

“The project has been a hugely successful collaboration between UK's Defense Infrastructure Organization, Interserve and COLAS who have been able to work flexibly with the Aerodrome Operators to ensure the runway can be operated at full length.

“This is particularly inspiring as the project has faced some expected obstacles along the way including, adverse weather, additional flights in the airfield schedule and a last minute design change,” they added.

The Mount Pleasant Airport normally operates with Falklands' international commercial flights, mainly the LATAM links with Chile and most recently with Sao Paulo in Brazil. The South Atlantic Airbridge which links Brize Norton in Oxfordshire with MPC flies twice a week. Normally the airbridge would call at Ascension Island for refueling. However since the British Overseas Territory, Georgetown Wideawake Airport, is having its runway repaired the airbridge has had to stopover in the African continent.

Landing facilities in Ascension are under US Air Force control and a US$ 170 million contract has been signed to upgrade the runway, and is estimated that works should e completed by 2022. (Penguin News)