Falklands : Falklands Councillors Expres Disquiet After Regular Passengers Bumped off Argentine NOK Flights
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 24.08.2009 (Article Archived on 26.10.2009)
On Sunday, 23 August 2009 several people told FINN that they had been bumped off LAN flights due to take place on 03 and 10 October 2009 – the timing of Argentine Next of Kin flights to the Falklands.
FALKLANDS COUNCILLORS EXPRESS DISQUIET AFTER REGULAR PASSENGERS BUMPED OFF ARGENTINE NOK FLIGHTS
By J. Brock (FINN)
On Sunday, 23 August 2009 several people told FINN that they had been bumped off LAN flights due to take place on 03 and 10 October 2009 – the timing of Argentine Next of Kin flights to the Falklands. Cllr Summers confirmed this on Monday when he briefed the media on the recently held General Purposes Committee Meeting.
Cllr Summers went on to say that the matter had been brought up by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to the highest levels in the Argentine Government because it is believed that pressure from the Argentine Government had caused the cancellations in favour of Argentine Next of Kin. The agreement that was worked out clearly stated that normal passengers could fly on those days because larger airframes would be used for the flight and due to them being classified by both parties as normal flights.
In an item broadcast over FIRS, H. E. The Governor Mr Alan Huckle conformed that this was the case.
The A-340, taking 258 would bring passengers to the Falklands with regulars going to Stanley or MPA and the Next of Kin going to Commemoration Services at the Darwin Cemetery. Normally the A-320 would take 168.
The agreement was that this would not prevent normal commercial passengers wanting to book on those days from travelling on the particular LAN flights - the concept being the Argentine Next of Kin would take the extra seats provided for by the larger aircraft. Also, the Argentine Next of Kin would be eligible for any seats not allocated through normal bookings.
“We feel the action is against the agreement that was reached,” said Mr Huckle.
Initially it was planned to take people by chartered cruise ship to the commemorations as it was better logistically and would allow for more people to come and spend longer at the Darwin Cemetery. But the Argentine Government insisted on flying their Next of Kin to the Falklands on the two commercial flights and it was the later option that was agreed.
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