BUENOS AIRES, 22 January, 2021, (TON): The Foreign Ministry of Argentina said that Lufthansa, a German airline has seek permission for the Argentine government to fly over its country on the way to Falklands, adding that the request implies recognition of Falklands as an Argentine territory.  

The airline said that request for two flights were made that assisted a polar research expedition for the normal route via Cape Town has been suspended due to the pandemic.

In 1982, a war was led for Argentina and Britain have long disputed ownership of the Falklands, for decades with the Argentina claiming dominion over the British run islands, it calls the Malvinas. 

The Argentine government said that the airlines asked for permission to carry scientists and logistical support staff from Hamburg to Mount Pleasant in the Falklands, where they will board a ship, Polarstern to America to conduct a research on the climate change and also to dock in Port Stanley, the capital of the British held territory.

For February 1, and March 30 the two 15 hour flights are scheduled.

The Foreign Ministry said the German Embassy also asked for authorization from the Argentine Naval Prefecture for the Polarstern ship to enter “Puerto Argentino,” the Argentine name for the Falklands capital Port Stanley.

“The relevance of Lufthansa’s request presented to the Argentine authorities is highlighted as it implies the recognition of the Malvinas Islands as part of Argentine territory,” the Foreign Ministry said.

Last year, Argentina has appointed a Malvinas minister, renewed its drive to reclaim the Falklands, saying it will revise maps to emphasize its claim for use in schools and lobbying at the United Nations.

The German government did not immediately respond to the media.

On Wednesday, Lufthansa announced the alternate route for the flight via the Falklands and praised that it will be the longest passenger flight in the history of its company, marking one of the most unique flights the airline has ever carried out.

The passengers and the crew at present are taking all precautionary measures considering the pandemic crisis to avoid any cases in the remote region.