MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Compassionate charter flight to Chile not approved by Government of Argentina
MLA Teslyn Barkman regretted the decision and said that “this was an opportunity for people to visit family they have not seen in an incredibly long time” The Falkland Islands Government (FIG) has been informed that the permissions required to operate a compassionate charter flight between the Falkland Islands and Chile have not been granted by the Argentine authorities. This flight was due to travel to Chile from the Falkland Islands on Saturday 19 March 2022, and return on Saturday 9 April, it was informed by the FIG on Wednesday.
Reflecting on the situation, MLA Teslyn Barkman, Chair of the Legislative Assembly, said: “It’s deeply disappointing that this flight has not be given permission. This was an opportunity for people to visit family they have not seen in an incredibly long time, due to the pandemic. Loved ones who have been kept apart for two years and who have not been able to be with their families during some of the darkest and most difficult times. How could anyone refuse them this single chance to spend three weeks with those they care the most about?
“Additionally, many still need to renew vital documents or manage other outstanding personal and health issues that were also impacted by Covid-19, and this flight was the most direct and viable way to help these people. This was, arguably, a small administrative decision on the part of the Argentine authorities, but it could and would have made a whole world of difference for those in our community. People who had already started making plans to travel and who will now feel justly devastated to be told that it will not go ahead.
“There has been an incredible amount of work put into getting this flight put in place and to fall at the final hurdle is extremely frustrating, upsetting and disheartening. On behalf of the Legislative Assembly, I would like to apologise to our community and we hope that they know we did everything we could to make this flight operational.”
FIG advised that those who have already booked their travel to contact International Tours and Travel for details on how to request reimbursement. You can send an email to charter.itt@horizon.co.fk
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Read all commentsLiberato
Mar 15th, 2022 - 01:44 pm +3I am sorry but you are confused.
The UN decolonization committee recognises all British Overseas Territories as “colonies” for a single reason. That reason is the inhabitants do not vote in UK general elections. It has absolutely nothing to do with Argentinas fake sovereignty claim.
France resolved the issue for their Overseas Territories by granting the vote to the inhabitants of their territories.
In that way the territories became “part of France”.
The UK could do the same thing tomorrow, if they believed any of the following
1) Its what the inhabitants of the Overseas territories wanted
2) It was the best thing for the Overseas territories
3) The UN decolonization committee had any importance whatsoever.
The UK regularly accepts the wishes of its Overseas Territories to maintain the Status Quo.
What would of course be true colonialism is that Argentina invades the territory against the wishes of its inhabitants.
Pure Pettiness on the Argentine Government`s part, should not be a Surprise really with the upcoming 40th Anniversary and Argentina not being allowed to have its own way.
Mar 10th, 2022 - 10:52 am +2Think, Argentina does not allow charter flights to operate into the Falkland Islands, so why would AA be treated any differently? IF, it were allowed no one would be allowed to leave the aircraft, disembark or be free to wander.
Mar 10th, 2022 - 02:12 pm +2The only reason a so-called “humanitarian country” has disallowed this flight is sheer pettiness and nothing more. I see, elsewhere, in your press that Argentina is blaming the UK for this flight not going ahead. Would you like to explain how it is the UK's fault?
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