Safety concerns raised over tree growth impacting flights at Reykjavík Airport

Concerns have been raised regarding flight safety at Reykjavík Airport due to tree growth in Öskjuhlíð. Njáll Trausti Friðbertsson, a member of the parliamentary environment and transportation committee as well as an air traffic controller, highlighted the urgency of addressing this issue, urging both the City of Reykjavík and Isavia, the airport operator, to cooperate.

The Icelandic Transport Authority has set a deadline of September 2 for Isavia and the city to reduce tree heights in Öskjuhlíð that have been impacting both arrival and departure procedures at the airport. While Isavia has suggested that around 2,900 trees need to be removed, city experts argue that only about 40 trees should be cut down.

Njáll expressed concern that the majority party in Reykjavik is not taking the matter seriously and insists on reviewing the correspondence history between the city, Isavia, and the Transport Authority, particularly since 2011. He emphasized the need for a timeline of communications and hinted at calling the committee for a meeting if necessary.

He pointed out that ensuring the priority of emergency flights is crucial and that the committee’s oversight role could help protect national infrastructure. Reykjavík City has requested an independent review by the Transport Authority, arguing Isavia’s evaluations have relied too heavily on situational assessments.

Njáll concluded that the goal should be to facilitate safe approaches to the airport, dismissing future airport plans in Hvassahraun as unrealistic. He expressed hope that a compromise could be reached within the six-week extension granted by the Transport Authority.