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Mount Pleasant Airport (MPN) is a joint military and civilian airport on East Falkland, serving as the primary international gateway to the Falkland Islands. Built and expanded by the United Kingdom following the 1982 Falklands War, it hosts RAF Mount Pleasant, a key British military installation in the South Atlantic. It is one of the most southerly airports with scheduled international service and handles both military flights and civilian traffic to and from the UK and South America.
💡 Local Tip
If you're connecting to a FIGAS island-hopper flight, allow at least one overnight in Stanley, as weather delays into Mount Pleasant are common and onward FIGAS departures operate only from Stanley Airport in the morning.
🚖 Getting There
There is no public bus service between Mount Pleasant Airport and Stanley, so travellers should arrange a rental car, taxi, or hotel transfer in advance. Most visitors book transfers through local accommodations or tour operators, as on-island transport options are limited. Drivers should note that roads beyond Stanley include gravel stretches and require cautious, slower driving, especially in wet weather.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I get to the Falkland Islands by air?
A: The main route is a weekly or twice-weekly flight from RAF Brize Norton in the UK, operated by the Ministry of Defence via the Falklands air bridge using Airbus A330 Voyagers. Regional connections to Chile have historically been served by LATAM Airlines, though schedules and operators can vary.
Q: Is Mount Pleasant Airport civilian or military?
A: It is both. RAF Mount Pleasant is a British military base, but the airport also serves civilian passengers with dedicated terminal facilities separate from the military side.
Q: How far is the airport from Stanley?
A: Mount Pleasant is approximately 50 km (30 miles) southwest of Stanley, the capital. The drive typically takes around 45 minutes to an hour on paved and gravel roads.
Q: Are there flights between Mount Pleasant and other Falkland Islands?
A: Inter-island flights within the Falklands are handled by FIGAS (Falkland Islands Government Air Service), which operates from Stanley Airport rather than Mount Pleasant.
AI-generated content · Generated Jun 29, 2026 · MiniMax-M3