Government cuts threaten rural air services

Government savings plans would reduce Norlandair’s scheduled flights from Akureyri to Vopnafjörður and Þórshöfn from five days a week to three, mbl.is reports. Flights to Grímsey could also be cut from three per week to two.

Norlandair chief executive Arnar Friðriksson said the level of service provided to rural areas through scheduled flights was a political decision.

Under agreements with the government, Norlandair operates the routes from Akureyri. The company received nearly ISK 187 last year for flights to the destinations, including ISK 46.5 million for the Grímsey route.

“Cuts of this kind are contagious. If services are reduced, fewer people will naturally use them, and eventually arguments will emerge for eliminating what little remains,” said Þórarinn Ingi Pétursson, a Progressive Party MP for the Northeast constituency.