Runway Resurfacing at Mount Pleasant Complex in the Malvinas Islands Completed Ahead of Schedule
The resurfacing works on a section of the Mount Pleasant Complex airfield in the Malvinas have been completed ahead of schedule, according to a report by the UK Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO). The £20 million (~USD 25 million) project covered the renovation of 20,000 square meters of operational surface, using high-quality asphalt produced on the island via a dedicated mixing plant set up specifically for this work.
Mount Pleasant serves as the Royal Air Force (RAF) base in the Malvinas, operating regular flights to Argentina, Chile, and the United Kingdom. Managed by the UK Strategic Command, the base remains a key asset for the UK Ministry of Defence, particularly after the 1982 war with Argentina, during which the islands briefly returned to South American control.
A Complex Logistical Effort
The contract for the works was awarded in October to Mitie by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), with the participation of several UK-based subcontractors, some of whom had previously worked on the resurfacing of the Alpha Loop taxiway last year. The project included resurfacing the Foxtrot taxiway and the runway threshold, the area where aircraft make contact upon landing. Due to the airfield’s remote location, all equipment and materials were shipped from the United Kingdom, covering a distance of 8,000 nautical miles.
Major Brad Southall, project manager at DIO, highlighted the logistical and operational challenges, stating:
“Any construction project in the Malvinas can be complicated due to significant logistical challenges, and in this case, the need to complete the work before the Southern Hemisphere winter, when conditions make construction impossible. Maintaining airfield operations during the works was also a particular challenge.”
Meanwhile, Brigadier Daniel Duff, commander of the British Forces South Atlantic Islands (BFSAI), added:
“We are pleased that the runway works have progressed so well, despite the significant challenges of executing a project in these islands. Of course, this was no coincidence, and the entire execution team worked closely with multiple BFSAI departments. It has been a true joint effort.”
From Mitie, the company responsible for the project, Charlie Antelme, General Manager of Defence, stated:
“This project has been a truly collaborative effort, and everyone’s dedication is reflected in its early completion before winter. This is the latest of our modernization projects at Mount Pleasant Complex, and we look forward to continuing large-scale projects in support of the UK Armed Forces, both in the South Atlantic and at other Defence sites in the UK and abroad.”
Military Oversight and Air Connectivity
The project was supported by the 8 Engineer Brigade Royal Engineers, whose personnel oversaw quality control and facilitated coordination between the construction team and airfield staff, ensuring that air operations continued without prolonged disruptions.
AirTanker operates a twice-weekly air transport service between Brize Norton (UK) and Mount Pleasant International Airport (MPN) in the Malvinas, with a stopover at Ascension Island. Additionally, LATAM Airlines runs a weekly flight between Santiago de Chile (SCL) and Mount Pleasant (MPN), with a stop in Punta Arenas (PUQ). Once a month, the route includes an additional stop in Río Gallegos (RGL), Argentina.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, a weekly flight between São Paulo, Brazil, and the Malvinas (with a monthly stop in Córdoba, Argentina) was also in operation, but it has yet to resume.
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