FT Antarctica DO
Apr 26, 2006, 9:32 pm
#77
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 502
Hmm.. since this is FLYERtalk...
A while back there was an Eclipse that passed over a Russian base on the continent proper. A tour group organized with the Russians a flight out of South Africa to the base. It may be possible for a group to charter such a flight, avoid turbulent times aboard a ship, and enjoy South Africa?
A while back there was an Eclipse that passed over a Russian base on the continent proper. A tour group organized with the Russians a flight out of South Africa to the base. It may be possible for a group to charter such a flight, avoid turbulent times aboard a ship, and enjoy South Africa?
Apr 27, 2006, 2:54 pm
#78
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 502
Originally Posted by kkirksea
Hmm.. since this is FLYERtalk...
A while back there was an Eclipse that passed over a Russian base on the continent proper. A tour group organized with the Russians a flight out of South Africa to the base. It may be possible for a group to charter such a flight, avoid turbulent times aboard a ship, and enjoy South Africa?
A while back there was an Eclipse that passed over a Russian base on the continent proper. A tour group organized with the Russians a flight out of South Africa to the base. It may be possible for a group to charter such a flight, avoid turbulent times aboard a ship, and enjoy South Africa?
ALCI has a website. The have an IL-76 that can fly 80 passengers in 6 hours from Cape Town to the Novolazareskaya. Apparently 3 flights in November, 2 in February. Nothing scheduled for 2007 yet. Couldn't find pricing.
I'll be in Cape Town in July, and see if I can hunt 'em down.
"Whilst researching the 2003 eclipse, CTC made contact with Antarctic Logistic Company International, a newly formed company in South Africa, a joint venture between Meihuizen International Shipping Company, South Africa and INTAARI, of St Petersburg, Russia. The original discussions centered on vessel charter, but once it became clear that ALCI would be granted the license to land an aircraft on the mainland of the Antarctic, CTC changed focus, as the advantages of viewing an eclipse from a stable platform far outweighed a ships deck. Staff of CTC were invited to attend the first ever flight to the Antarctic, in early Dec 2001. This flight landed on a specially constructed runway at the Russian Antarctic base of Novolazareskaya. Shortly after this trip, CTC signed a cooperation agreement with ALCI, the purpose of this agreement being to promote tourism to Dromming Maud Land. Starting with the eclipse of 2003, tourism to this region will be slowly built up. Positive developments include a certain portion of the cost of each trip being used to preserve the unique qualities of the Antarctic. Tourists will be obliged to adhere to the strict code of conduct set up by ALCI and Green Peace."
Last edited by kkirksea; Apr 27, 2006 at 3:02 pm
Apr 28, 2006, 6:18 pm
#81
Join Date: Feb 2001
Programs: UA 1k, AA Plt, MR Lifetime Plat & Amb
Posts: 1,829
Originally Posted by kkirksea
" Staff of CTC were invited to attend the first ever flight to the Antarctic, in early Dec 2001."
Apr 28, 2006, 6:49 pm
#82
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 502
Originally Posted by Dudemon
Do they mean commercial flight? Planes have been flying to Antartica for decades.
Or else, it's one of those funky hyperbole translation issues from Afrikaans!
Mar 16, 2007, 7:21 am
#83
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 27
Whatever became of the Antarctica DO?
It was a long time ago, true -- but wasn't there talk of a 2007 trip? What became of it all? Not enough interest? I've been to Antarctica, and it's truly an astonishing experience -- literally unlike anywhere else on the planet, for as long as tourism doesn't ruin it. (I think that "100 person in a single spot" limit is too high, in fact.)
That said, I'd love a chance to go back!
j.
That said, I'd love a chance to go back!
j.
May 8, 2007, 9:03 am
#85
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: SZG, Austria
Programs: LH(OS) HON, IC RA
Posts: 33,194
It was a long time ago, true -- but wasn't there talk of a 2007 trip? What became of it all? Not enough interest? I've been to Antarctica, and it's truly an astonishing experience -- literally unlike anywhere else on the planet, for as long as tourism doesn't ruin it. (I think that "100 person in a single spot" limit is too high, in fact.)
That said, I'd love a chance to go back!
j.
That said, I'd love a chance to go back!
j.
Jun 8, 2007, 3:18 pm
#87
Join Date: May 2005
Location: The Golden State
Programs: 2Peon, NW PLAT, HH Diamond & *W Fallen-from-Gold-Grace
Posts: 1,422
