Ascension : Public Notice
Submitted by The Islander (Ascension Island Government) 11.09.2008 (Article Archived on 25.09.2008)

The following was issued by the MOD on 27 August 2008:

PUBLIC NOTICE

The following was issued by the MOD on 27 August 2008:

"The new South Atlantic Airbridge contract has been awarded to Chapman Freeborn: the service will be operated by flyglobespan using a B767 aircraft four times per fortnight with effect from Wednesday 1 October 2008.  The airbridge is run under a two-year contract with two one-year options, expected to run until 2012.  The airbridge will leave Brize Norton southbound on Wednesdays and Sundays, and it will leave Mount Pleasant northbound on Fridays and Tuesdays. 

The aircraft will operate at timings very similar to those in operation with the current schedule.  Details will be confirmed as soon as possible.

This service provides a higher frequency of flights than the previous arrangement, which offered three flights per fortnight, as well as an enhanced aeromedical and freight capability.  

The aircraft is chartered to carry 184 passengers on each flight.   Although designed to carry more passengers, the extra payload will be used solely for freight and the extra fuel required for a journey of this length.  

Twenty-nine seats will be reserved on each service for the use of the Falkland Island Government.  Twenty six seats will be reserved for the use of the Ascension Island Government.  These allocations reflect the statements of requirement as each Overseas Territory set out for a fortnightly period, adjusted by the change in service from three to four times every two weeks.  

Flights on the new service can be booked from 1 September 08, at current airbridge prices and fare structures.  The prices will alter to new pricings based on the cost of running the B767 once the new Joint Policy Statement has been agreed and ratified.  Information on what the new prices would be in order to inform signature of the Joint Policy Statement will be available by 1 September 08.  

The new contract arrangement meets every requirement contained in the Falkland Islands and Ascension Island Governments' Statements of Requirement, including provision of premium economy seating and enhanced catering.   The FCO participated in the evaluation of the tenders which dealt with the Falkland Islands and Ascension Islands statements of requirement."

Administrator’s Office

Georgetown

Ascension Island