FALKLAND ISLANDS GOVERNMENT
PRESS STATEMENT
21 August 2025
Temporary alternative Argentine stopover to be used
The Falkland Islands Government (FIG) wishes to advise that an alternative airport is to be used temporarily for the Argentine stopover of the weekly LATAM flight to the Falkland Islands.
As part of the 1999 Agreement, the weekly LATAM flight from Chile is required to make two stops per month at Rio Gallegos in Argentina, one in each direction.
FIG has been advised that between 1 September and 23 December this year, Rio Gallegos Airport will be closed due to runway repairs taking place and that an alternative location for the stopover is required during this period.
Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) have agreed to a proposal that the Ushuaia Airport be used temporarily for the stopover. At FIG’s request, LATAM considered other airport availability within Argentina but were unable to identify any other viable option to meet the passenger and freight load factors and required timings.
Eight flights (four northbound and four southbound) will be affected between 1 September and 23 December. These will be the same flights that were originally scheduled to travel via Rio Gallegos. The Ushuaia stopover will not affect overall travel times by more than a few minutes. Arrivals into both Punta Arenas and Santiago will be largely as at present, and LATAM will notify passengers of any alterations. The stopover change will not affect fares.
Travellers on these flights carrying on to Punta Arenas or MPA will be able to remain on the aircraft in Ushuaia, as they do in Rio Gallegos. No customs or immigration processes will be applied.
Customers will be able to book to and from Ushuaia if they wish, as they can with Rio Gallegos, but non-Argentine citizens will need to be aware of immigration processes at the airport; this is their individual responsibility and not that of LATAM or FIG.
The stopover will be listed as ‘Ushuaia’ on all booking sites and in all communications. The Argentinian name of the Ushuaia airport will not be used by LATAM at any point.
MLAs have given their agreement to this temporary change in order to guarantee the continuation of flights through this key summer period but have required assurance from LATAM that stopovers will return to Rio Gallegos as soon as the runway works are completed.
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ENDS
