Compassionate charter flight to Chile not approved by Government of Argentina
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.
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.”
Anyone who had already booked their travel is asked to contact International Tours and Travel for details on how to apply for a refund. Please call 22041 or email charter.itt@horizon.co.fk
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FALKLAND ISLANDS GOVERNMENT
PRESS STATEMENT
28 February 2022
Falkland Islands Government confirms compassionate charter flight to Chile in March
The Falkland Islands Government (FIG) can confirm that it intends to charter a flight to Chile from the Falkland Islands on Saturday 19 March 2022, returning Saturday 9 April 2022. The flight will only stop in both Punta Arenas and Santiago on the outbound and return journeys.
Falkland Islands residents will be able to buy a ticket, providing they need to travel for one of the following reasons:
To renew travel and/or identification documents
To visit family that they have not seen for a long time, due to pandemic disruptions
To manage other outstanding personal and/or health issues which have been impacted by Covid-19.
Passengers will be asked to confirm how they meet these criteria at the point of booking their ticket and will be permitted the normal luggage allowances. People wanting to travel for business purposes, or to take a holiday, will not be eligible for this compassionate charter flight; equally these flights will not carry freight.
The flight will be subject to the necessary permissions from authorities in order to operate, and we are working to secure these in order for people to be able to leave the Islands on compassionate grounds.
For questions about reservations, pricing and logistics, please contact International Tours and Travel, who are the government’s booking agents for this flight. Please call 22041 or email charter.itt@horizon.co.fk
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