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BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - The German airline Lufthansa has asked the Argentine government for permission to overfly its country en route to the Falklands, Argentina said on Thursday, adding that the request implies recognition of Falklands “as part of Argentine territory,” the Foreign Ministry said.
FILE PHOTO: People visit Gypsy Cove, near Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, May 17, 2018. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci
Lufthansa, separately, said it made the request for two flights supporting a polar research expedition because the normal route via Cape Town has been suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Argentina and Britain have long disputed ownership of the Falklands, with Argentina for decades claiming sovereignty over the British-run islands it calls the Malvinas. The dispute led to a brief war in 1982.
Argentina has boasted of a diplomatic victory by claiming Germany asked for their permission - not Britain s - for a scientific ship to dock at the Falkland Islands.
In addition, German airline Lufthansa has asked for permission from Argentina for two flights from Hamburg to fly over the country en route to the Falklands. Argentina claimed this implied recognition of the Falklands as Argentine territory .
The German government is said to have asked for permission for the Polarstern research ship to dock in Port Stanley, the capital of the British-held territory.
The two, 15-hour flights are scheduled for 1 February and 30 March.