Just under 72% of Reykjavík residents want the domestic airport to remain in the city, although the matter remains a contentious one.
Vísir reports that, according to a new poll conducted by Market and Media Research, 71.8% of respondents – all of whom hail from Reykjavík – want the domestic airport in Vatnsmýri to remain where it is.
The matter appears to have some partisan aspects as well. The highest levels of support came from respondents who identify with conservative parties: 89.2% of Progressives and 87.2% of Independence Party supporters want the airport to stay. The lowest levels of support came from Social Democrats (44.9%), Pirates (46.3%), supporters of Bright Future (62.6%) and Leftist-Greens (65.1%).
About 67,200 people have also signed a petition asking that the airport stays where it is.
Whether the domestic airport should stay or go has been a subject of debate for many years now. Supporters contend that the location helps maintain a strong connection between the capital area and the countryside, while those who want the airport gone believe the airport in Keflavík would be more suitable, and better use could be made of the land the domestic airport currently occupies.
With municipal elections coming up next spring, this could be a dominant issue during campaign season.
Buy subscriptions, t-shirts and more from our shop right here!
