Samút, an association for Icelandic outdoor clubs, has called for stricter regulations for tourist helicopters over popular tourist destinations. Sveibjörn Halldórsso, Samút‘s director, says the subject has been a hot topic among nature lovers who want to limit the number of flights, and noise, along popular tourist spots.
“Helicopters disturb the crowds below their flight path. Last summer I visited Gullfoss waterfall and while I was admiring the scenery a helicopter flew along the area and hoovered over the waterfall for fifteen minutes. One could not hear the sounds of the waterfall because of the noise from the helicopter and people were clearly annoyed,” he told the National Broadcasting Service.
Read more: The Westfjords: A limitless supply of space and quiet
Guests visiting Þingvellir National Park have also complained about the number of helicopter flights above the park. Park ranger Ólafur Örn Haraldsson hopes to work with authorities and helicopter operators to solve the problem. He points out that people travelling the central highlands have also complained about frequent air traffic in the area.
“Air traffic is a bigger nuance in remote areas such as the central highlands than in crowded tourist destinations,” he concludes.
Samút, an association for Icelandic outdoor clubs, has called for stricter regulations for tourist helicopters over popular tourist destinations. Sveibjörn Halldórsso, Samút‘s director, says the subject has been a hot topic among nature lovers who want to limit the number of flights, and noise, along popular tourist spots.
“Helicopters disturb the crowds below their flight path. Last summer I visited Gullfoss waterfall and while I was admiring the scenery a helicopter flew along the area and hoovered over the waterfall for fifteen minutes. One could not hear the sounds of the waterfall because of the noise from the helicopter and people were clearly annoyed,” he told the National Broadcasting Service.
Read more: The Westfjords: A limitless supply of space and quiet
Guests visiting Þingvellir National Park have also complained about the number of helicopter flights above the park. Park ranger Ólafur Örn Haraldsson hopes to work with authorities and helicopter operators to solve the problem. He points out that people travelling the central highlands have also complained about frequent air traffic in the area.
“Air traffic is a bigger nuance in remote areas such as the central highlands than in crowded tourist destinations,” he concludes.
