Falklands : Councillors Put Stanley Airport Story Straight
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 03.07.2008 (Article Archived on 17.07.2008)
A press conference was held at Gilbert House where the Stanley Airport's operations with British Antarctic Survey Were discussed.
COUNCILLORS PUT STANLEY AIRPORT STORY STRAIGHT
By J. Brock (FINN)
At 1530hrs on Wednesday, 02 July 2008 a press conference was held at Gilbert House to set the record straight about an article appearing in last week’s Penguin News about British Antarctic Survey (BAS) ceasing flying operations from the Falklands.
Councillors Birmingham and Summers addressed the media and Cllr Summers began by saying that a particular part but not the whole story was wrong and that it was Councillors purpose to give background information about the BAS situation in the Falkland Islands.
Cllr Summers said that there were some Foreign Policy implications with reference to what BAS Spokeswoman Linda Capper had said that had yet to be worked through.
He went on to say that the various changes needed at Stanley Airport would have been needed if BAS aircraft were to continue flying to and from that aerodrome and that those changes were mandated by Overseas Territories Air regulations (OTAS) which would bring Stanley Airport up to British standard as to what type of airframe could use the facility.
“To suggest that the Falkland Islands Government (FIG) has acted unilaterally without consultation is completely and utterly wrong,” said Cllr Summers.
Cllr Birmingham went on to say that to allow the Dash-7 to land would mean Stanley Airport should have OTAS Category 5 facilities but there were capital and operating cost implications that FIG were not prepared to cover. He added that Stanley Airport could take Islanders but if Twin Otters were to land the Airport would have to be upgraded to OTAS Category 3. These upgrades would be a major expense for FIG.
“There were 20 BAS Landings at the Stanley Airport in 2007 and ten of those happened between Christmas and the New Year,” Cllr Summers said. He went on to say that over the past years BAS had been reducing the number of landings at the airport and that correspondingly landing fees from BAS had reduced to £10,000.00 per annum and did not justify an expenditure of £500,000.00 Capital Costs and from £90 to 100,000.00 operating costs that FIG would have to incur if BAS were to continue to fly from Stanley.
Further to this, BAS has not yet approached FIG with reference to any upgrade to Stanley Airport. However, it is understood that when OTAS standards came into effect in January this year that BAS had been approached about using Mount Pleasant and use Stanley Airport as an alternative but BAS have not responded.
“We clearly understand that Punta Arenas is closer and logistically better than it is from Stanley, though there are some emotional commitments that come into play,” said Councillor Summers.
There are good political relations between the UK and Chile and Councillors are sure that the decision was made purely for financial reasons. From our point of view, however, it is highly regrettable that BAS, who has operated in Stanley since 1945, has made this decision at Senior Management Level and not consulted FIG about it.
“BAS had been informed of the implications but there has been no response from them,” Councillor Summers continued.
The fact that BAS is an HMG operation has nothing to do with OTAS regulations. Because these are valid in the Overseas Territories and not in the UK the ownership of aircraft makes no difference.
There is interest in how BAS spends there money in the Falklands. In respect of shipping but it is known that £50,000.00 per annum is spent on refuelling aircraft. Figures from the Upland Goose Hotel are not forthcoming because that facility has closed down.
There is no indication that BAS will pull out completely as shipping operations are more cost-effective in the Falklands than they are in Punta Arenas.
Councillor Birmingham concluded the conference by saying that for many years FIG have given BAS a discount and there are some cases where charges are waived. There is a subsidy for berthing and the use of the rubbish tip, for example.
“FIG would like BAS to continue here but it cannot subsidise BAS operations in the Antarctic,” he said.
Indeed, the financial implications of Antarctic operations clearly are in the remit of HMG and they have decided for practical reasons to fly from Punta Arenas where the proper airport facilities are in place and where they are being expanded to cater to organisations working in the Antarctic.
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