Argentina bans Britons from flying to the Falklands from São Paulo

On Tuesday (7), Buenos Aires canceled London’s permission to run an air service from São Paulo to the disputed Falkland Islands, with a stopover in the Argentine city of Córdoba, due to Britain’s rejection of direct flights to the archipelago from mainland Argentina.

“This decision was reached after presenting to the United Kingdom several initiatives to achieve greater connectivity between the Argentine mainland and the Falkland Islands,” the chancellery said in a statement published on its website.

The two countries agreed upon the Latam flights in 2018, but Britain suspended them in 2020 for health reasons amid the coronavirus pandemic.

It is unknown if there has been a reaction from the UK to the Argentine government’s decision.

Last week, Argentina ended a 2016 bilateral pact over the islands.

This decision was considered “disappointing” by British officials.

That pact, according to Argentina, made concessions to British interests over the exploitation of Argentine natural resources in the region and authorized air connections between the islands and third countries.

The Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that “the British government has prevented any real and concrete advance towards allowing a direct flight from our mainland territory to the islands. Despite this, the Argentine government hopes to be able to resume dialogues.”

The dictatorship of General Leopoldo Galtieri forcibly reclaimed the islands in 1982, but after a 74-day war, it had to surrender, with a death toll of 649 Argentine and 255 British soldiers.

A regular flight from the Chilean city of Punta Arenas to the Falkland Islands, with a monthly stopover in the Argentine city of Río Gallegos, was re-established in July 2022 after being suspended during the pandemic.

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