Transport in the Falkland Islands

File:Falkland Islands road.jpg

In 1982, the Falkland Islands had no roads outside Stanley, only tracks.{{cite web

|url = http://www.falklands.gov.fk/documents/Falklands%20Focus%20Issue%2081,%20July%2007.pdf

|title = Falkland Focus - News from the Falkland Islands Government

|date = July–August 2007

|access-date = 2010-12-29

|url-status = dead

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120308122026/http://www.falklands.gov.fk/documents/Falklands%20Focus%20Issue%2081,%20July%2007.pdf

|archive-date = 8 March 2012

|df = dmy-all

}} By 2007, the Falkland Islands had a road network of {{convert|786|km|order=flip}} with a further roads planned for construction link to all occupied mainland settlements by 2013.{{cite web

|url = http://www.falklands.gov.fk/Transport_&_Communication.html#

|title = Transport and Communication

|publisher = Falkland Islands Government

|access-date = 2010-07-18

|url-status = dead

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101216190536/http://www.falklands.gov.fk/Transport_%26_Communication.html

|archive-date = 16 December 2010

|df = dmy-all

}} Source uses metric units. In 2012, the Falkland Islands Government classified the {{convert|862|km|order=flip}} road network - East Falkland {{convert|489|km|order=flip}} and West Falkland {{convert|373|km|order=flip}} - into "A" roads, "B" roads and "C" roads for purposes of Highways Asset Management Plan. The "A" roads are the {{convert|121|km|order=flip}} link between Stanley and New Haven (East Falkland) and the {{convert|78|km|order=flip}} link between Port Howard and Fox Bay (West Falkland).{{cite web

|title = Priorities for Roads Maintenance, Increased Funding for Grading, Capping and for Surfacing the MPA Road

|url = http://www.falklands.gov.fk/assembly/documents/39-12P.pdf

|date = 25 April 2012

|publisher = Falkland Islands Executive Council

|access-date = 16 August 2012

|url-status = dead

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121104082955/http://www.falklands.gov.fk/assembly/documents/39-12P.pdf

|archive-date = 4 November 2012

|df = dmy-all

}}

Source uses metric units.

All roads within Stanley are asphalted as are the ones at Mount Pleasant Airport (MPA). The road between Stanley and MPA is mostly gravel all-weather roads (as like the rest of the roads in the islands) with some short asphalted sections.{{cite web

|url = http://www.travellerspoint.com/guide/Falkland_Islands/

|title = Falkland Islands

|publisher = Travellerspoint Travel Community

|access-date = 2010-07-23}}{{Cite web|title = Falkland Islands - Roader's Digest: The SABRE Wiki|url = http://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=Falkland_Islands|website = www.sabre-roads.org.uk|access-date = 2015-10-18}}{{Cite web|title = Windswept, remote...who would want to live in the Falkland Islands?|url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/windswept-remotewho-would-want-to-live-in-the-falkland-islands-8577203.html|website = The Independent|date = 20 April 2013|access-date = 2015-10-18|language = en}} The road between Stanley and MPA has a large trench on either side, which will ground any vehicle driving into it. These trenches were allegedly dug deeper than they needed to be as annual rainfall was taken as a number for the monthly rainfall.{{Cite book|title = Razor's Edge - The Unofficial History of the Falklands War|last = Bicheno|first = Hugh|publisher = Weidenfeld & Nicolson|year = 2006|isbn = 978-0-7538-2186-2|pages = 337, 338}}

Stanley has two taxi services which can be used for travel within the town and the surrounding areas. A variety of four-wheel drive vehicles can be hired in Stanley, which are essential for travel along unpaved roads that are potentially badly potholed.{{cite web

|url = http://www.falklandislands.com/contents/view/23/get-here/get-around/vehicle-hire

|publisher = Falkland Islands Tourist Board

|title = Vehicle hire

|access-date = 2010-07-03}}{{cite web

|url = https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/36989/20121108-Pre_Arrivals_Pack-U.pdf

|title= British Forces South Atlantic Islands Families Pre-arrival Pack

|publisher = Ministry of Defence

|date = November 2012

|access-date = 22 February 2013}}

A bus service ferries passengers between the main airport for international flights at Mount Pleasant and Stanley.{{cite web

|url = http://www.falklandislands.com/contents/view/117/get-here/get-around/bus-and-taxi

|publisher = Falkland Islands Tourist Board

|title = Bus and taxi

|access-date = 2010-07-03}}

Bicycles can also be hired, though because of the unsealed roads and hilly terrain, these are more suitable for use around the Stanley area.

{{cite web

|url= http://www.falklandislands.com/contents/view/283/get-here/get-around/bicycle-hire

|title= Bicycle Hire

|work=web page

|publisher=Falkland Islands Tourist Board

|access-date=2010-07-24}}

Speed limits are 25 mph (40 km/h) in built-up areas and 40 mph (64 km/h) elsewhere.{{cite web

|url = http://www.falklandislands.com/assets/documents/falklands-factsheet.pdf

|title = The Falkland Islands

|publisher = Falkland Islands Tourist Board

|access-date = 19 May 2010

|url-status = dead

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110710223934/http://www.falklandislands.com/assets/documents/falklands-factsheet.pdf

|archive-date = 10 July 2011

|df = dmy-all

}}

File:Stanley-Harbour.jpg

There are two seaports in the Falkland Islands, Stanley (East Falkland) and Fox Bay (West Falkland). Additionally, British forces in the islands use a port facility at Mare Harbour. The designated harbours in Stanley area include Berkeley Sound, Port William and Stanley Harbour itself.[http://www.falklandislands.com/assets/documents/2010-harbour-info-basic.pdf Falkland Islands Ports & Harbours: Information – 2010.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101122085736/http://www.falklandislands.com/assets/documents/2010-harbour-info-basic.pdf |date=22 November 2010 }} Fox Bay is also a customs entry point for West Falkland. In 2020 the government awarded a contract to BAM Nuttall to design and build a new port for the Falklands.{{Cite web |last=McShane |first=Alex |date=2021 |title=New Port for the Falkland Islands |url=https://www.falklands.gov.fk/commercialservices/capital-projects/new-port-development |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=Falklands Islands Government, Development and Commercial Services, Capital Projects |language=en-gb}}{{Cite web |last=McShane |first=Alex |date=2021-09-14 |title=New Port Press Releases |url=https://www.falklands.gov.fk/commercialservices/capital-projects/new-port-development/port-press-releases |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=Falklands Islands Government |language=en-gb}} The Falkland Islands do not have a merchant navy.

Since November 2008, a regular ferry service has linked the two main islands, carrying cars, passengers and cargo. The ferry, MV Concordia Bay, a 42.45 m twin-screw shallow draft (2.59 m) landing craft{{cite web

|url = http://www.holyheadtowing.co.uk/vessels/concordia-bay/

|title = Concordia Bay

|publisher = Holyhead Towing Company Ltd

|year = 2010

|access-date = 2010-12-29}} runs between Port Howard in West Falkland and New Haven in East Falkland.{{cite web

|url = http://iguide.travel/Falkland_Islands/Getting_Around/By_boat

|title = Getting Around Falkland Islands: By boat

|work = Falkland Islands Travel Guide

|publisher = iGuide: Interactive Travel Guide

|access-date = 2010-07-23}} She has a deck, 30 m in length and 10 m in width which is sufficient for 16 one-ten Land Rovers (or equivalent) and accommodation for 30 passengers. She also has a crane that is capable of lifting 10 tonnes at 7 m. She also visits some of the smaller islands.

Other smaller boats may be chartered in advance.

Tourist cruise ships often visit many of the islands, making use of inflatable boats where adequate docking facilities are not available.

A {{convert|2|ft|mm|adj=on}} gauge railway, known as the Camber Railway, was built along the north side of Stanley Harbour in 1915-1916 and used until the 1920s. It was about {{convert|3.5|mi|km}} long. The trackbed is still visible.{{cite web

|url = http://www.britlink.org/camber.html

|access-date = 2010-10-22

|title = The Camber Railway, Falkland Islands

|date = 2010-10-18

|url-status = dead

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110326063910/http://www.britlink.org/camber.html

|archive-date = 26 March 2011

|df = dmy-all

}}

File:Islander.JPG operated by the Falkland Islands Government Air Service, Stanley, 1994]]

The Falkland Islands have two airports with paved runways. The main international airport is RAF Mount Pleasant, {{convert|27|mi}} west of Stanley.{{cite web

|url=http://www.mapcrow.info/Distance_between_London_UK_and_Port_Stanley_FK.html

|title= Map Crow Travel Distance Calculator

|publisher=Mapcrow.info

|date=23 October 2007

|access-date=24 July 2010}}

43.28 km in source.

LATAM Airlines operate weekly flights to Punta Arenas. Once a month, this flight also stops in Río Gallegos, Argentina.{{cite web

|url=http://www.falklandislands.com/contents/view/24/get-here/getting-here-by-air

|title=Official Tourism Website of the Falkland Islands

|publisher=Falkland Islands Tourist Board

|access-date=10 March 2011}}

The Royal Air Force operates flights from RAF Mount Pleasant to RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, England, with a refuelling stop at RAF Ascension Island. This service is called the South Atlantic Airbridge.{{Cite web|title=Getting to the Falkland Islands {{!}} Falkland Islands Government|url=https://www.falklands.gov.fk/more-information/getting-here/|access-date=2021-11-23|website=www.falklands.gov.fk}}

Bristow Helicopters also operate two Sikorsky S-92 helicopters, based at RAF Mount Pleasant, under contract to the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence, primarily for moving military personnel, equipment and supplies around the islands. Additionally, two AgustaWestland AW189 helicopters are operated from RAF Mount Pleasant by AAR Corp and Bristow in the search and rescue role.{{cite web|url=http://www.aarcorp.com/aar-awarded-10-year-search--rescue-contract-in-the-falkland-islands-by-uk-mod/|title=AAR Awarded 10-Year Search & Rescue Contract in the Falkland Islands by UK MOD – General News – News – AAR Corporate|work=aarcorp.com|access-date=26 September 2015|archive-date=27 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927224616/http://www.aarcorp.com/aar-awarded-10-year-search--rescue-contract-in-the-falkland-islands-by-uk-mod/|url-status=dead}}

File:2635-sea-lion-figas-plane RJ.jpg]]

The smaller Port Stanley Airport, outside the city, is used mainly for internal flights. The Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS) operates Islander aircraft that can use the grass airstrips that most settlements have. Flight schedules are decided a day in advance according to passenger needs and the next day's timetable is published every evening. The schedules are based on three routes - a Northern Shuttle and the Southern Shuttle that each have one flight a day and the East - West Shuttle that has a morning and an evening flight every day.{{cite web

|url = http://www.falklandislands.com/contents/view/116/get-here/get-around/internal-flights-figas

|title = Internal Flights (FIGAS)

|work = Getting Around the Falkland Islands

|publisher = Falkland Islands Tourist Board

|access-date=2010-07-23}}

The British Antarctic Survey operates a transcontinental air link between Port Stanley Airport and the Rothera Research Station on the Antarctic Peninsula and servicing also other British bases in the British Antarctic Territory using a de Havilland Canada Dash 7.{{cite web

|url = http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/living_and_working/aircraft_and_vehicles/aircraft/index.php

|title = Aircraft in Antarctica

|publisher = British Antarctic Survey

|access-date = 9 July 2012

|year = 2012

|url-status = dead

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080129092148/http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/living_and_working/aircraft_and_vehicles/aircraft/index.php

|archive-date = 29 January 2008

|df = dmy-all

}}

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