Mount Pleasant Airport (MPN) is the main international gateway to the Falkland Islands. It sits within the Mount Pleasant Complex on East Falkland, roughly an hour by road from Stanley, and it handles the international services used by most land-based visitors.
If this is your first trip, the most important thing to know is that Mount Pleasant is not Stanley Airport. International flights use MPN. Domestic FIGAS flights between settlements and outer islands use Stanley Airport.
Last verified: September 2026. Current official guidance says visitors need a passport valid for the duration of their stay. Land-based visitors should also have onward travel, accommodation, sufficient funds, and appropriate medical insurance.
Where is Mount Pleasant Airport?
Mount Pleasant Airport is on East Falkland, around 56 kilometres from Stanley by road. The drive normally takes about an hour, depending on conditions and your transfer.
Because the airport is away from the capital and forms part of a military complex, treat it as a transport point rather than a place to improvise your next step. Arrange your transfer before arrival and follow local rules on photography.
Which flights use Mount Pleasant Airport?
The main scheduled civilian link is LATAM’s Saturday service from Santiago, Chile, via Punta Arenas. The flight also calls at Rio Gallegos in Argentina on a monthly pattern.
The UK Ministry of Defence operates a separate fare-paying air service from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire. Current visitor information describes the service as twice weekly, with a refuelling stop at Ascension Island.
The previously advertised midweek LATAM service from São Paulo has not yet been reinstated after its pandemic suspension. Do not build a trip around that route unless the official schedule confirms it has returned.
For a route-by-route comparison, see how to get to the Falkland Islands.
What happens when you arrive?
After landing, you go through immigration, baggage collection, customs, and biosecurity procedures. Keep your travel documents accessible rather than buried in checked luggage.
- Passport valid for the duration of your stay.
- Return or onward travel details.
- Proof of pre-booked accommodation.
- Evidence of sufficient funds for the stay.
- Medical insurance that meets current visitor-permit requirements, including aeromedical evacuation cover.
The full document rules are covered in our Falkland Islands travel requirements guide.
Biosecurity at the airport
Biosecurity matters in the Falklands. Outdoor footwear, tripods, bags, food, and other items can carry soil, seeds, insects, or disease between places. Clean outdoor gear before you travel and declare restricted items honestly.
You may also need to clean footwear and equipment later when moving between farms, wildlife sites, or islands. That protects the habitats you came to see.
How to get from Mount Pleasant Airport to Stanley
The easiest option is a pre-arranged airport transfer. Official tourism guidance says bus transfers are available to Stanley and can drop visitors at their accommodation.
Do not assume you can walk outside and find a city-style taxi rank with unlimited availability. Your hotel, guesthouse, local operator, or travel agency can usually help arrange the transfer before you fly.
Can you rent a car at Mount Pleasant?
Vehicle hire can be arranged in the Falklands, but availability and collection arrangements vary. If you want to self-drive, confirm the pickup point before booking. Do not assume the airport works like a large international terminal with several walk-up rental desks.
Many first-time visitors find a transfer into Stanley simpler, then arrange a rental or guided 4×4 from there. Road conditions outside Stanley can be very different from a normal city-driving trip.
Facilities and practical expectations
Mount Pleasant is a functional airport rather than a major shopping or lounge hub. Bring anything important with you, keep your phone charged, and have essential booking details available offline.
Photography also deserves attention. Current UK travel advice warns that Mount Pleasant is a military site and that unauthorised photography can cause problems. Follow signs and staff instructions rather than treating the airport like a sightseeing stop.
What if your next flight is with FIGAS?
FIGAS does not depart from Mount Pleasant. Domestic island-hopping is based at Stanley Airport. That means an itinerary with an international arrival followed by an outer-island stay normally includes a road transfer first.
FIGAS operates as an air-taxi service rather than a normal fixed-timetable airline. The daily schedule is published the afternoon before travel, and visitor baggage limits are much tighter than many international flights.
Our first-time Falklands trip planner explains how to connect international arrival, Stanley, accommodation, and FIGAS without making the itinerary too tight.
Before you fly
- Recheck the current LATAM or Airbridge schedule.
- Confirm your airport transfer before departure.
- Keep entry documents and insurance accessible.
- Clean outdoor gear for biosecurity.
- If you are connecting onward by FIGAS, confirm the separate Stanley Airport logistics and baggage allowance.
FAQs
How far is Mount Pleasant Airport from Stanley?
It is roughly 56 kilometres from Stanley by road, and the transfer normally takes about an hour depending on conditions.
Does my passport need six months of validity?
Current official guidance says your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay. Check transit-country and airline requirements separately.
What international flights serve Mount Pleasant Airport?
The main scheduled civilian service is LATAM’s Saturday route from Santiago via Punta Arenas. The UK MOD also operates a fare-paying Airbridge service from RAF Brize Norton via Ascension Island.
Is Mount Pleasant the same as Stanley Airport?
No. Mount Pleasant Airport handles international arrivals. Stanley Airport is the main base for domestic FIGAS flights.
Should I book my airport transfer in advance?
Yes. Pre-arranged transfers are the practical option, and your accommodation or local operator can usually help organise one.
