Falkland Islands

• Tuesday, June 14th 2011 - 17:06 UTC

  Seatrade Conference: South America cruise vessel operating costs ‘unbearable’

  

  Cruise vessel operating costs in South America are becoming unbearable according to company representatives speaking at the South America Seatrade Conference.

• Tuesday, June 14th 2011 - 13:49 UTC

  Antarctica visitors drop 8.3% in 2010/11 and 25% fall for 2011/12 season, forecasts IAATO

  

  The total number of visitors to Antarctica during the 2010/11 season, and traveling with IAATO member-operators, was 33,824. This includes those traveling on traditional expedition ships, yachts, larger cruise-only vessels as well visitors participating in land programs. The overall seasonal results reflect a decrease of 8.3% last year’s total of 36,875 passengers.

• Monday, June 13th 2011 - 23:55 UTC

  Falklands’ tourist spend average was up 53% last season, shows official data

  

  Tourist expenditure in the Falkland Islands has enjoyed a record rise – up 53% - according to new data released by the Falkland Islands Tourist Board.

• Monday, June 13th 2011 - 22:55 UTC

  Falklands/UK airbridge remains on hold because of the ash cloud

  

  The next UK/Falkland Islands airbridge flight remains uncertain, following the recent disruption caused by the volcanic eruption in Chile it was reported by the Falklands radio station.

• Monday, June 13th 2011 - 12:10 UTC

  US main interest is a “stable Argentina”, warns Falklands Task Force head

  

  The head of the Royal Navy Task Force that recovered the Falkland Islands during the 1982 South Atlantic conflict has warned about UK defense cuts and underlined that United States has little interest in supporting Britain in any conflict since a stable Argentina is more important to the State Department.

• Monday, June 13th 2011 - 11:33 UTC

  Ban Ki-moon in Argentina; Falklands/Malvinas question on the table

  

  UN General Secretary Ban Ki-Moon is in Buenos Aires for a two-day official visit and will be meeting President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner Monday morning. Foreign Affairs minister Hector Timerman is expected to bring up the “question of Falklands/Malvinas”.

• Friday, June 10th 2011 - 16:33 UTC

  Falklands rations seats on the UK airbridge forced by the volcanic ash

  

  The impact of the volcanic ash is straining the Falkland Islands air links with the United Kingdom forcing the rationing of seats for northbound passengers because of the repeated cancelling of the airbridge with Brize Norton.

• Friday, June 10th 2011 - 05:55 UTC

  The South Cone and Falklands remain under the volcanic ash cloud

  

  Uruguay, most of Argentina, the south of Chile and even the Falkland Islands is the South Atlantic are suffering the consequences of the volcanic ash cloud that remains hovering over the region forcing airlines to cancel flights until further notice.

• Friday, June 10th 2011 - 00:25 UTC

  Falklands tells OAS sovereignty is “non negotiable”, but seek “neighbourly relations” with Argentina

  

  The Falkland Islands elected government responded to an Argentine inspired declaration from the Organization of American States, OAS, saying that the Falklands have “a right to self determination” and fully supports the UK government’s resolute position that “the issue of sovereignty is non negotiable”.

• Thursday, June 9th 2011 - 08:36 UTC

  Oil company confirms Falklands drilling and farm-out accord in coming months

  

  Falkland Oil & Gas confirmed on Wednesday drilling operations will begin in the first quarter of 2012 and revealed it is in early talks with firms interested in taking part in its exploration program south of the Falkland Islands. The company however anticipated it did not expect to conclude any farm-out agreement until later this year.