Múlaþing leader condemns cut to rural air-travel discount

The government’s decision to replace a 40 per cent Loftbrú air-travel discount with a fixed payment has drawn criticism from Jónína Brynjólfsdóttir, chair of the Múlaþing local council, mbl.is reports. She called the change another blow to people living outside the capital region.

From the new year, eligible residents will receive 7,000 Icelandic krónur for each flight leg, or 14,000 krónur for a return trip. The limit of six flight legs will remain unchanged.

Infrastructure Minister Eyjólfur Ármannsson said the new arrangement could provide a higher discount as a percentage of the fare when passengers book early and secure cheaper tickets. Brynjólfsdóttir said the subsidy was especially important when people had to book at short notice, such as after a death or during an urgent family situation.

She said Loftbrú was intended to help residents outside the capital region visit relatives and attend cultural events. She also argued that the scheme helped offset the distance to events and institutions based in Reykjavík, including a national sports stadium, the National Theatre and concerts at Harpa.

“The kilometre charge has already gone up, and now this, among many other things. Enough is enough,” she said.