News

In order to protect MOD operational capability, it has become mandatory for all passengers arriving at RAF Brize Norton Passenger Terminal for check-in to automatically have their temperature tested as a preventative measure for Swine Flu. This includes all civilian passengers travelling southbound to Ascension Island and the Falkland Islands.  Although this testing is quick and easy, please be aware that it will inevitably cause a slight disruption and delay to the check-in process.

If your temperature is found to be of a high enough degree to cause concern you will be given 30 minutes ‘cool-down’ to allow for re-testing and temperature verification. This could cause some passengers to miss their flight check-in if they arrive too close to the ‘Latest Arrival Time’ to allow for the completion of this procedure. Therefore, it is recommended that all passengers programme extra time into their travel plans to allow for any possible false negative tests and cool down period.

If any passenger fails the 2nd temperature test after 30 minutes, they will be shut off the flight and unable to travel again for a further 7 days. Consequently, it is suggested that all passengers keep their transport available until after the testing is completed and civilian passengers are strongly advised to ensure they take out adequate travel insurance to cover such an eventuality.

MOD have advised that they will keep the screening programme under constant review by balancing medical and operational advice accordingly.  Anyone who is due to depart from RAF Brize Norton should direct any questions to the Passenger Flight Information Line on 01993 896050.

The following Executive Council papers, considered at a meeting held on 20 August 2009, are available to download:
190/09: Telecommunications in the Falkland Islands
189/09: Long range identification and tracking of ships
182/09: Update on EU & Other External Funding Work
173/09: Proposed creation of the Patricia Luxton National Nature Reserve (Chartres)
172/09: FIMCO Overdraft Guarantee
169/09: FIGAS Capped Resident Fare – Qualifying Criteria
168/09: Review of Environmental Impact Statement produced by Desire Petroleum PLC for offshore drilling
More information on Executive Council is available at www.falklands.gov.fk//Government.html.

The Falkland Islands Tourist Board (FITB) has launched an innovative marketing campaign in the UK to help protect the Islands from the impact of the economic recession.  The campaign aims to promote the Falklands as a land-based and expedition cruise destination to a highly targeted segment of the UK market.  The tourist board has worked closely with the editorial team at the Guardian to create a microsite, which is displayed as an offshoot to the Guardian’s own website at www.guardian.co.uk/falkland-islands.  The microsite contains an image gallery of the Falkland Islands, as well as information about what to do and see, links to other relevant websites, plus a competition to win a holiday to the Falklands.  ”The beauty of this approach is that it allows us to communicate a lot more than a print advert would,” said Jake Downing, General Manager of FITB.  ”It’s a very sensible strategy, given the lack of knowledge and understanding about the Falklands as a tourist destination. It also suits the preferences of Guardian readers, who are very likely to research holiday ideas online.”

The new posts of Director of Health and Education and Director of Procurement have been filled by David Jenkins and Andrew Lee respectively.  Mr Jenkins is currently a UK army officer, with an extensive career in the UK’s defence medical services.  He also holds a Diploma in Education (Teaching).  Mr Lee has had an extensive career in procurement and in business change in the public and private sectors.

Sir Nicholas Winterton MP DL has been re-elected as Chairman of the group of MPs interested in maintaining the security and economic prosperity of the Falklands.  This is his 12th consecutive year as Chairman of the UK Falkland Islands All-Party Parliamentary Group.

Eleven UK MPs visited the military base in the Falkland Islands under the auspices of the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme, which seeks to provide MPs with first-hand knowledge of the role and functions of the Army, Navy and RAF.  Arriving in the Falklands on 30 July, the group included Roger Gale, MP for Thanet North, who warned that UK Defence chiefs should not let the war in Afghanistan distract them from the needs of other British soldiers around the world, such as those in the Falkland Islands.

The Islands Plan, the Falkland Islands Government’s road map for achieving sustainable economic growth while preserving the environment and culture of the Falklands, has been officially adopted by the Legislative Assembly.  The 2009-2014 Islands Plan focuses on milestones and outcomes and guides the business plans of departments and the performance appraisals of all staff.  For more information and to read the plan click here.

Results released by the Falkland Islands Tourist Board have revealed cruise ship tourism brought almost £4.2 million into the Falklands in the 2008-9 season.  This figure includes spending on tours, shopping, food and beverages, as well as over £1.3 million in the form of government taxes and levies.  Thirty-nine percent of cruise visitors were from the USA, followed by Canada (10%) and the UK (8.6%).  ”What’s very promising is that almost half of the 599 cruise passengers we surveyed expressed an interest in returning to the Falklands for a land-based holiday,” said Jake Downing, General Manager of the Tourist Board.  ”This represents the potential for considerable economic benefit to the Falkland Islands, as land-based visitors spend on average £917 per head on the Islands.”  Visitors from the UK are most likely to want to return for a land-based holiday, and the Tourist Board is now planning an annual programme of marketing activity in the UK to capitalise on this, Mr Downing said.