Eyjólfur Árni Rafnsson defends proposed airport project in Hvassahraun amid volcanic concerns

Eyjólfur Árni Rafnsson, the chairman of the working group for the proposed airport in Hvassahraun, has responded to accusations that the overall public interest did not guide the creation of the report on the airport project. He claims extensive knowledge has been gained that will aid future decision-making, although actual construction remains far off.

The working group, established four years ago, presented findings that suggest Hvassahraun could still be a viable option for a domestic airport despite recent volcanic activity on the Reykjanes Peninsula. Eyjólfur points out that while geologists do not rule out the possibility of lava flows threatening the proposed airport site during significant eruptions, the current volcanic activity has been less severe than anticipated.

Eyjólfur has faced criticism from Aldís Hafsteinsdóttir, the mayor of Hrunamannahreppur, who alleged that national interests were not prioritized in the report. He counters that the overall public interest has always been the guiding factor, and that all participants have acted in good faith.

He acknowledges that the volcanic eruptions have complicated things, but insists they did not halt progress. The group recommends advancing the project to the next stage when feasible, considering natural hazards in the design and construction process. Eyjólfur is awaiting a risk assessment before he can definitively assert that Hvassahraun remains the best option, but he believes the evidence leans in that direction.

Discussion surrounding Reykjavik Airport continues, with expectations that the findings will not immediately resolve the debate over its future.