Falkland Islands Government Air Service
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Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS) is an airline based in Stanley, Falkland Islands. It operates non-scheduled passenger services throughout the Falkland Islands. It also undertakes aerial surveillance of the economic exclusion zone surrounding the islands. Its main base is Port Stanley Airport. It is a vital link to the more remote settlements delivering post, vital goods, and moving people. Less vital items can be delivered by the coastal resupply vessel. Other than the Sikorsky S61N helicopters operated by the British International (BRINTEL) company, FIGAS is the only fast link around the islands. Details of who's flying where and at what time are announced on local radio the night before the flight date. Though almost all the settlements they fly to now have grass airstrips it is a reasonably common occurrence for the planes to land on the long flat beaches.
[edit] History
The airline was established in 1948 and started operations on 24 December 1948. It was formed to provide medical and mail services to outlying farming communities. Prior to 1986 the airline used sea planes but in this year they bought the first of the current fleet of Britten-Norman BN2 Islander.
[edit] Fleet
The FIGAS fleet consists of 6 Britten-Norman BN2B Islander aircraft (at January 2006), two of which are on fisheries patrol, four of which are being used for the transport of goods or passengers around the islands. At any one time, one of the six is being serviced.
