Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS) is an airline based in Stanley, Falkland Islands. It operates non-scheduled passenger services throughout the Falkland Islands and a limited scheduled service during the summer months. It also undertakes aerial surveillance of the economic exclusion zone surrounding the islands. Its main base is 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 brintel helicopters used by the millitary for millitary personnel 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 resonably common occurance for the planes to land on the long flat beaches. A Boeing 747-400 belonging to Virgin Atlantic Airways, one of the UKs largest airlines. ... From the air Stanley, someties incorrectly referred to as Port Stanley, is the capital and only town in the Falkland Islands, located on the isle of East Falkland. ... Stanley Airport is located 12. ...

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 islanders. December 24 is the 358th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (359th in leap years). ... 1948 (MCMXLVIII) is a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). ...

Fleet

The FIGAS fleet consists of 7 Britten-Norman BN2B Islander aircraft (at January 2006), two of which are on fisheries patrol, one is constantly being serviced and four of which are being used for the transport of goods or passengers around the islands. BN-2B Islander II operated by Ryukyu Air Commuter The Britten-Norman Islander (also known as the BN-2) is a light utility aircraft manufactured by Britten-Norman of Britain. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...