Falklands rejects Argentine flights

Falklands rejects Argentine flights

The islands' sovereignty is disputed

The Falklands' governor has rejected a request by Argentina's national airline to resume flights to the islands after more than 20 years.

The UK Department of Civil Aviation is considering allowing direct Aerolineas Argentinas flights to recommence in June.

The airline said it was confident it would be able to run a twice-weekly service to Port Stanley.

But governor Howard Pearce said it would be "inappropriate".

Presidential candidate Carlos Menem has, with characteristic bombast, said he will be on the first flight as Argentina's new president.

The sovereignty of the islands, known as the Malvinas in Argentina, remain in dispute.

They still appear on national maps as Argentine territory.

In 1982 Argentina invaded the islands to stake their territorial claim but a British taskforce ejected them later the same year, inflicting heavy casualties and leading to the collapse of the military junta.