Falklands : SOUTH ATLANTIC AIRBRIDGE: CHANGES UNDER THE NEW JOINT POLICY STATEMENT
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 15.03.2009 (Article Archived on 26.04.2009)
The MOD and FCO have recently agreed a new Joint Policy Statement (JPS) for the use of the Air-bridge between Brize Norton, Ascension Island and the Falkland Islands for Non-MoD passengers and freight.
SOUTH ATLANTIC AIRBRIDGE: CHANGES UNDER THE NEW JOINT POLICY STATEMENT The MOD and FCO have recently agreed a new Joint Policy Statement (JPS) for the use of the Air-bridge between Brize Norton, Ascension Island and the Falkland Islands for Non-MoD passengers and freight. As a result of this new JPS, a number of changes have been made to the booking procedures, as outlined below, which will be effective for bookings made after 1st April 2009: The Falkland Islands Company (FIC) booking agency is required to make bookings via a central system operated by the Falkland Islands Government Office (FIGO) in London. All bookings are submitted to the MoD 14 days in advance of the flight date. Therefore bookings must be made with the agency no later than 15 days before the date of the required flight. Bookings made less than 15 days before the flight date will incur a £30 late booking fee subject to the availability of a seat being confirmed. Once a booking has been sent by FIGO to the MoD (14 days before the flight) amendments, only in the form of a change of name of passenger, can be accepted if the change is made less than 12 days before the flight date. An amendment fee of £30 will be charged. Any amendments can be made to a booking with FIGO or FIC, before the bookings have been sent to the MoD at the 14 day point; these will not incur an amendment fee. Any change of date made less than 12 days prior to a flight will be classed by the MoD as a cancellation and no refund will be given. Refunds will not be given for any cancellations made after the 12-day point prior to a flight date. Passengers are strongly advised to seek insurance to cover unavoidable late changes, and other travel risks. They should also be fully aware of what their policy will and will not cover. If, for any reason, the MoD has to cancel or change a firm booking (after the 14-day point) a suitable military alternative will be offered as circumstances dictate. Should a passenger wish to withdraw the booking after the cancellation by the MoD, a refund of the fare will be given. Should the aircraft need to divert to South America and overnight there, MoD will endeavour to arrange suitable accommodation for fare-paying passengers, but will not be responsible for settling the bills for such accommodation, which will need to be settled by the passengers themselves. Passengers entitled to the Duty/Resident fare, including students and fare-paying children (under 12 but over 2), will be entitled to the full 54kgs baggage allowance including hand baggage. The baggage allowance for bookings already made for flights after 1st April will be amended where appropriate. For other fare-paying passengers the baggage allowance will be 27 kg (including hand baggage) New fares and freight tariffs are as shown below. For those passengers who have already booked and paid for flights taking place after the 1st of April, a refund for the difference between the fares will be given, where applicable. Airbridge Seat Prices (Effective from 1 April 2009) Price in £ BZZ ASI BZZ FI ASI FI Adult (Resident/Duty) Return 790 1350 570 Single (Southbound) 420 700 290 Single (Northbound) 380 660 Child/Student (Resident/Duty only) Return 390 675 290 Single (Southbound) 210 350 150 Single (Northbound) 190 330 Group (Tourist) Return 1040 1775 750 Single (Southbound) 560 920 380 Single (Northbound) 500 870 Standard Economy Return 1150 1975 840 Single (Southbound) 620 1030 430 Single (Northbound) 550 960 Premium Fare Return 2090 3585 1510 Single (Southbound) 1120 1860 760 Single (Northbound) 990 1740 Accompanied infant children up to their 2nd birthday will travel free of charge provided that they do not occupy a seat. However, where sky cots are provided these shall be free of charge.
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