Viðreisn MPs say planned Loftbrú changes fall short

Viðreisn MP María Rut Kristinsdóttir says planned changes to Loftbrú, a scheme that subsidises domestic air travel, will not go far enough, mbl.is reported. She joined criticism from her party colleague Ingvar Þóroddsson, saying a subsidy of 7,000 Icelandic krónur per flight leg was not enough.

From the start of next year, the subsidy will be a fixed 7,000 krónur per leg instead of 40% of the fare. Residents outside the capital region will continue to qualify for subsidies on six flight legs a year.

Kristinsdóttir called domestic flights a lifeline for communities outside the capital, describing them as both a safety and equality issue. She said Loftbrú had helped reduce differences in access, but acknowledged that the current system had shortcomings. Residents and local government representatives had told her that Icelandair fares had risen alongside the scheme, limiting its impact.

A fixed subsidy had been suggested as a solution, she said, but other measures might also be needed. One option could be to set fares on the flights covered by the scheme. Kristinsdóttir said MPs should push for a review to make the system transparent and fair, so that flying did not become a luxury but remained part of public transport.

She also raised concerns about the wider state of domestic aviation. She said last year’s tender had gone poorly, partly because of a lack of competition, and that fewer flights were now expected. She described the reduction as a loss of freedom and quality of life for people who need to travel to the capital region for work or services.

Kristinsdóttir said she would raise these concerns within Viðreisn’s parliamentary group and with ministers, and hoped the government would listen and find a solution.