SAMA (82) Sponsored Indulgence Scheme and Booking of Liberty Lodge
PLEASE NOTE - THIS SCHEME IS FOR ALL HOLDERS OF THE SOUTH ATLANTIC MEDAL.
APPLICANTS DO NOT HAVE TO BE MEMBERS OF SAMA(82).
SAMA (82) OPERATE THE SCHEME ON BEHALF OF ALL MEDAL HOLDERS
The Indulgence Scheme continues to meet expectations in respect of its concept and the delivery has been very positive.
A number of minor changes have been implemented to improve the service being offered to Medal Holders and are as follows:-
- Information and Flight Application Pack.
This has been amended and improved and is now available to all applicants.
- Applying for the Information and Flight Application Pack.
All applicants should apply to The Secretary at the SAMA (82) Office, in writing, by phone or by email, for a pack to be sent to them . Do NOT contact The Sponsor for this service.
The Secretary
SAMA (82)
Unit 5, Torfaen Business Centre,
Gilchrist Thomas Industrial Estate
Blaenavon
NP4 9RL
Tel: 01495 791592
Email: secretary@sama82.org.uk
- Booking of Accommodation in Liberty Lodge.
Applicants do not now need to contact the Lodge Manager to book Accommodation prior to submitting a request to travel. This is now done by phoning or e-mailing the Sponsor as per instructions in the New Pack – before completing and submitting the Flight Request form. If the Lodge is fully booked the sponsor will, on your behalf, seek Hosted Accommodation with a family in Stanley.
- Submission of Completed Flight Request.
Once applicants have phoned and spoken to the Sponsor requesting Accommodation in Liberty Lodge, the Flight Request form should be completed and forwarded to the Sponsor at the address shown in the Application Pack.
- Travel for those not entitled to Indulgence.
Family Members or Carers are not entitled to Indulgence Passage. Medal Holders who wish to have Family Members or Carers accompany them on their trip to the Islands may apply, through The Sponsor, for a Pre Paid Flight that can be booked via the Falkland Islands Government Travel Office in London. The Sponsor will discuss this with anyone wishing to use this means of getting those not entitled to Indulgence Passage on the same flight as them. Contact the Sponsor on the telephone number below to discuss your requirements.
- Aircraft - Flight Frequency and Capacity.
The present short term contract, let by the MOD for the Airbridge from the UK to the Falkland Islands and return, is operated by Air Seychelles, who will remain the main Contractor until possibly September 2010. They use a Boeing 767 - 300ER aircraft with 2 flights per week both South Bound ( Each Sun and Wed. Latest Check In time at RAF Brize Norton is 1930 for Flight Number RR3220) and North Bound (Each Tue and Fri. Latest Check In time at MPA is 0800 for Flight Number RR3221). The Aircraft capacity for passengers is 184 seats. Of these, a number are allocated to The Falkland Islands Government and The Ascension Islands Government for the movement of their respective residents. With no extra freight required to be moved and with no reinforcement or FTX’s taking place the maximum number of seats that could be available for use, as part of the Military Allocation, is 129. Medal Holders applying for an Indulgence Passage have NO priority in being allocated a seat on any leg of the trip, either South or North, and can be offloaded at anytime if required. This is extremely unlikely, but be aware that it is a possibility. Once MPA and Movement Ops Brize Norton have completed their Manifests and spare capacity is found, then The Sponsor will be given authority to call forward, by Priority of Application Date, those Medal Holders wishing to travel.
- Passenger Transfers - MPA to Stanley / Stanley to MPA
With effect 1st April 2010 the Free Bus Service, which was supplied by the Falkland Islands Tours and Travel Company, will no longer be available to Veterans traveling by Indulgence, Family Members on FIG Duty Paid flights, or for others traveling on Sponsored Pilgrimages.
ALL passengers will now be responsible for arranging their own Transfers from MPA to Stanley and also from Stanley back to MPA on their respective departure date.
Options:-
1. Visitors make their own arrangements through friends in The Falkland Islands.
2. Visitors contact the numerous Travel Service Operators listed in the Visitors Guide, that was enclosed in the Information Pack, and request transport for Pick Up and Return. The cost to be borne by those requesting the service.
3. Visitors, on leaving the Arrivals Lounge at MPA, make contact with the FITT Bus Driver, who is positioned outside the Terminal Main entrance, and request a Bus Transfer to Stanley. This is £10.00 for a single journey, payable to the driver on boarding.
4. Visitors who wish transport back to MPA at the end of their stay should contact FITT on Tel: 21775 (phone from your address on the Islands) and request a Transfer from their address in Stanley giving the date required. FITT will collect the visitor from the nominated pick up address at a time suitable to meet the required check in time at MPA. The cost of this service is £10.00 payable to the driver on boarding the bus.
All visitors should note, neither the Sponsor or the Manager of Liberty Lodge will be responsible for arranging Transfers.
Any Questions, Requests for advice, or concerns, should be addressed to the Sponsor. It is the Sponsor who acts on behalf of SAMA (82). It is he alone that can respond and react to all Indulgence Passengers needs.
Phone: 07730 267307 (Between the hours of 1000 and 1500, Monday to Friday ONLY
Email: Indulgence Sponsor