Fjallabyggð urges permanent Coast Guard helicopter base in Akureyri

Fjallabyggð town council has called on the Icelandic government and Parliament to establish a permanent base for an Icelandic Coast Guard helicopter in Akureyri, mbl.is reported.

The council approved the appeal last week, citing the heavy workload facing the Coast Guard’s helicopter unit in recent months. It also endorsed a parliamentary resolution proposal and the Coast Guard’s favourable assessment of the plan.

The Coast Guard said a permanent helicopter presence would transform Iceland’s rescue, air ambulance and surveillance capabilities. It would allow all regions of the country to be reached within 90 minutes under normal flight conditions and significantly improve response capacity in northern and eastern waters and in the highlands.

Fjallabyggð’s council urged the government and Parliament to present a scheduled and funded plan during the next budget process for a fourth rescue helicopter, a seventh helicopter crew and the necessary facilities in Akureyri.

It also called for a one-year pilot project to begin in line with the Coast Guard’s proposal, with the aim of establishing a permanent base.