List of Airports in Falkland Islands
As of 2024, there are 2 airports throughout the country of Falkland Islands according to IATA and ICAO. Through the table below, you can find name of each airport, its abbreviation, city location, and size. Airports in Falkland Islands are listed in alphabetical order. Please note that some airports serve internationally, while the other only serve domestically.
List of All Airports in Falkland Islands
| # | Airport | Abbreviation | Location | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mount Pleasant Airport | MPN | Mount Pleasant | Medium |
| 2 | Port Stanley Airport | PSY | Port Stanley | Small |
Major Airports in Falkland Islands
1. Stanley Airport (Falkland Islands)
Airport Code: PSY
Time Zone: FKT (Falkland Islands Time), GMT -3
Address:
Stanley Airport,
Falkland Islands
(Located on the eastern shore of the capital, Stanley)
Nearby Cities:
- Stanley (0 miles)
- Goose Green (20 miles)
- Mount Pleasant (34 miles)
- Port Howard (67 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS)
- Air New Zealand (seasonal)
- LATAM Airlines (seasonal)
Annual Passenger Traffic:
Approximately 10,000–15,000 passengers annually (seasonal fluctuations based on military and tourist activity).
Airport Location and History
Stanley Airport is located in the capital city of the Falkland Islands, Stanley, on East Falkland Island. The airport was originally opened during the 1930s, but its importance grew significantly after the Falklands War in 1982. It has remained the main civilian airport for the archipelago, serving not only Stanley but also the rest of the islands, including the outlying settlements. Due to its strategic location, the airport is vital for connecting the Falkland Islands with South America and the UK, especially for cargo and military transport.
The airport is primarily used for domestic flights within the islands, as well as a few seasonal international services, notably from Chile and the UK. Stanley Airport also acts as a hub for the Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS), which operates small aircraft to remote locations within the islands. As such, the airport is crucial for supporting the local economy, tourism, and military logistics.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Stanley Airport has a single runway, measuring 1,800 meters (5,906 feet) in length. This runway is long enough to accommodate medium-sized aircraft such as the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320, but it is not designed for wide-body aircraft like the Boeing 747 or Airbus A380. The airport primarily handles smaller aircraft, including military planes, regional flights, and smaller commercial carriers.
The terminal is small but functional, with basic facilities including check-in counters, waiting areas, and a café. There is also a small lounge area for passengers. The airport offers services for cargo, military transport, and emergency flights. Ground transportation options are limited to taxis and private vehicles, as there is no direct public transit system. Despite its small size, Stanley Airport plays a vital role in maintaining connectivity to and from the islands and is equipped to handle both civilian and military operations.
2. Mount Pleasant Airport (MPN)
Airport Code: MPN
Time Zone: FKT (Falkland Islands Time), GMT -3
Address:
Mount Pleasant Airport,
Falkland Islands
(Located 35 miles west of Stanley)
Nearby Cities:
- Stanley (34 miles)
- Goose Green (20 miles)
- Port Howard (53 miles)
- Mount Pleasant Military Base (1 mile)
Major Airlines Served:
- British Airways (via Heathrow)
- LATAM Airlines
- Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS)
Annual Passenger Traffic:
Approximately 20,000–25,000 passengers annually.
Airport Location and History
Mount Pleasant Airport is located approximately 35 miles west of Stanley and serves as the main international gateway to the Falkland Islands. It was constructed in the aftermath of the Falklands War in the 1980s, primarily as a military airbase to support UK forces in the region. The airport became a civilian airport in the early 1990s, though it continues to be used predominantly for military purposes.
Today, Mount Pleasant is the primary international entry point to the islands, with regular flights connecting the Falklands to the UK and South America. British Airways operates regular flights from the UK to Mount Pleasant via the Ascension Island stopover. Mount Pleasant also supports air traffic for the Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS), which operates flights to various settlements across the islands. The airport is also crucial for cargo shipments and military logistics.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Mount Pleasant Airport has a single runway that is 2,440 meters (8,005 feet) long, capable of accommodating large aircraft such as the Boeing 767 or Airbus A310. This makes it the only airport in the Falkland Islands capable of handling wide-body jets. The runway is built to handle both military and commercial operations, which is vital for the UK’s defense strategy in the region.
The terminal at Mount Pleasant is relatively small, but it offers a range of services including check-in counters, baggage handling, and a lounge. The airport supports both passenger and freight flights, with dedicated facilities for military, commercial, and cargo planes. Mount Pleasant also provides maintenance facilities for aircraft and is a key asset in the UK’s military and logistical operations in the South Atlantic. The airport is equipped with modern communication and navigation systems, ensuring safe operations year-round.
3. Goose Green Airport (GGY)
Airport Code: GGY
Time Zone: FKT (Falkland Islands Time), GMT -3
Address:
Goose Green Airport,
Falkland Islands
(Located on East Falkland)
Nearby Cities:
- Goose Green (0 miles)
- Stanley (20 miles)
- Mount Pleasant (50 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS)
Annual Passenger Traffic:
Approximately 1,000–2,000 passengers annually.
Airport Location and History
Goose Green Airport is a small airstrip located near the settlement of Goose Green on East Falkland Island. The airport was built during the 1982 Falklands War for military use, and it was subsequently used for civilian purposes following the end of the conflict. Today, the airport is primarily used for domestic flights by the Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS), connecting the remote settlements in the islands to Stanley and Mount Pleasant.
Although it is not a major hub for international travel, Goose Green Airport plays an important role in providing access to one of the Falkland Islands’ more isolated communities. It is also a key resource for transporting goods and people to and from the area, supporting the local economy and tourism industry.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Goose Green Airport has a small runway measuring approximately 1,200 meters (3,937 feet). This runway is not large enough to accommodate commercial jets, and it is limited to smaller aircraft, such as those used by FIGAS (usually twin-engine turboprop aircraft like the Twin Otter or Britten-Norman Islander). Due to its size, Goose Green cannot handle larger wide-body jets or high-traffic volumes.
The airport is extremely basic, with no passenger terminal or amenities beyond a small operations area. Passengers typically board and disembark directly from the tarmac. Ground transportation options are limited, with services mainly relying on private vehicles or FIGAS-operated transport.
4. Port Howard Airport (PHW)
Airport Code: PHW
Time Zone: FKT (Falkland Islands Time), GMT -3
Address:
Port Howard Airport,
Falkland Islands
(Located on West Falkland)
Nearby Cities:
- Port Howard (0 miles)
- Stanley (67 miles)
- Goose Green (56 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS)
Annual Passenger Traffic:
Approximately 500–1,000 passengers annually.
Airport Location and History
Port Howard Airport is situated in the settlement of Port Howard on West Falkland Island. Like many other airports in the Falkland Islands, Port Howard serves as a key link for domestic air travel within the archipelago. The airport is used by FIGAS, which operates small aircraft to connect remote settlements, farms, and military locations throughout the islands.
The airport is essential for transporting both people and supplies to West Falkland, and it is particularly important for the local sheep farming industry. While Port Howard is not a commercial airport and does not handle large volumes of passenger traffic, it is vital to maintaining connectivity within the Falkland Islands.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Port Howard Airport has a relatively short runway, approximately 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) in length, which is not capable of handling larger aircraft. The runway is primarily used for small, twin-engine planes operated by FIGAS, such as the De Havilland Twin Otter and Britten-Norman Islander. The airport is equipped to handle these smaller aircraft, which are ideal for the short regional routes within the islands.
Facilities at Port Howard Airport are extremely basic. There are no permanent terminal buildings, and passengers typically board planes directly from the airstrip. Ground transportation in the area is limited, and travel to and from the airport is typically by private vehicle or FIGAS-operated transport.
5. Berkeley Sound Airstrip (BSA)
Airport Code: BSA
Time Zone: FKT (Falkland Islands Time), GMT -3
Address:
Berkeley Sound, Falkland Islands
Nearby Cities:
- Stanley (10 miles)
- Mount Pleasant (40 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS)
Annual Passenger Traffic:
Less than 1,000 passengers annually.
Airport Location and History
Berkeley Sound Airstrip is located on the western edge of East Falkland Island, a short distance from Stanley. The airstrip is primarily used by FIGAS for small aircraft flights, connecting the area to the capital and other settlements. The airstrip is used mainly for domestic purposes, including passenger travel and cargo transport, but it also supports tourism to nearby wildlife reserves and ecological sites.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Berkeley Sound Airstrip is a small, unpaved airstrip with a length of approximately 1,100 meters (3,609 feet). It is designed to accommodate smaller aircraft, and it does not have the capacity for commercial jets or wide-body planes. Facilities at the airstrip are minimal, with no terminal or passenger amenities. The airstrip is primarily used by small FIGAS aircraft such as the Islander and Twin Otter, which are capable of landing on short, unpaved runways.
