East Iceland leader says revised Loftbrú plan still cuts support

Ragnar Sigurðsson, head of the Association of Municipalities in East Iceland, says the infrastructure minister’s revised plans would still reduce support under the Loftbrú scheme. He told mbl.is that East Iceland residents would be hit hardest in proportional terms.

“I welcome that he is reviewing the decision, of course, but this is still a cut to Loftbrú. We think it is a crazy course of action to raise the per-kilometre charge at the same time,” Sigurðsson said. “East Icelanders will be worst off in proportional terms, and this is a huge step backwards.”

Sigurðsson had strongly criticised Eyjólfur Ármansson after the changes were announced, saying the minister had gone back on his word. During parliamentary questions on April 16, Ármansson said he would not make systemic changes to Loftbrú without consulting all the country’s residents.

The minister rejects accusations that there was no consultation. He told Morgunblaðið that a meeting took place on October 16 with representatives of the Association of Local Authorities in Iceland and the airlines Icelandair and Norlandia.

Sigurðsson said the meeting was called at short notice and did not amount to consultation. The association understood that it was being informed of the proposed changes, he said.