After carriers from Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay were courted over their interest in the development of a service to their respective countries albeit with a stopover in Argentina, the Falkland Islands/Islas Malvinas will see enhanced connectivity with the Argentine mainland.
The Falklands government said a letter that was jointly inked by the UK and Argentine governments, was sent to UK embassies in Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay, requesting assistance in contacting airlines in their respective countries, to invite them to communicate their interest in establishing a new weekly scheduled air service to and from the Falkland Islands.
Interested operators have been asked to submit their bids by the end of this month after which a commercially-based determination process will be undertaken by the Falklands government.
The overall aim is to secure a further flight per week, including a monthly stop in Argentina, once in each direction, before the year-end. Government hopes to have the final contract talks concluded over the [southern] winter months. Hence, the new air link would be operational in October this year where it will complement an existing weekly LATAM Airlines-operated service between Mount Pleasant and Punta Arenas, Chile, which stops over in Rio Gallegos, Argentina once a month.
The Falkland Islands' Chief Executive, Barry Rowland, said, This additional air link will unlock the potential for Falkland Island businesses to flourish and, in turn, bring about wider economic and social benefits for our local population. The commercial process will be carefully managed by the Falkland Islands, together with our appointed specialist contractors Aviation Economics. This is an exciting time and we are looking forward to exploring the opportunities to work with new and existing partners to improve the experience of everyone travelling to this beautiful part of the world by air.
The Falklands government said a letter that was jointly inked by the UK and Argentine governments, was sent to UK embassies in Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay, requesting assistance in contacting airlines in their respective countries, to invite them to communicate their interest in establishing a new weekly scheduled air service to and from the Falkland Islands.
Interested operators have been asked to submit their bids by the end of this month after which a commercially-based determination process will be undertaken by the Falklands government.
The overall aim is to secure a further flight per week, including a monthly stop in Argentina, once in each direction, before the year-end. Government hopes to have the final contract talks concluded over the [southern] winter months. Hence, the new air link would be operational in October this year where it will complement an existing weekly LATAM Airlines-operated service between Mount Pleasant and Punta Arenas, Chile, which stops over in Rio Gallegos, Argentina once a month.
The Falkland Islands' Chief Executive, Barry Rowland, said, This additional air link will unlock the potential for Falkland Island businesses to flourish and, in turn, bring about wider economic and social benefits for our local population. The commercial process will be carefully managed by the Falkland Islands, together with our appointed specialist contractors Aviation Economics. This is an exciting time and we are looking forward to exploring the opportunities to work with new and existing partners to improve the experience of everyone travelling to this beautiful part of the world by air.