The Icelandic Canadian - 01.09.1968, Blaðsíða 28

26
THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
Autumn 1968
The Scandinavian Airlines Inaugural
Flight—Copenhagen to Reykjavik
The Scandinavian Airlines System
Inc., which operates an extensive air-
craft service, not only in the Scandi-
navian countries but in other parts
of Europe, across the Atlantic and to
the East, decided last spring to add
a flight between Copenhagen and
Reykjavik. Accordingly an “Inaugural
Flight” from Copenhagen to Reykja-
vik was arranged to take place on
Tuasday, June 11, 1968.
About 50 people were invited to
participate in the flight. There were
13 representatives of “Icelandic and
Scandinavian Authorities”, 19 repre-
sentatives of the Press of European
countries, 16 representatives of the
Travel Trade, 7 representatives of
SAS itself, and 3 representatives of
Icelanders in North America, one from
the United States and two from Can-
ada. The two invited from Canada
were Professor Haraldur Bessason and
retired Judge W. J. Lindal. Mrs. Lin-
dal joined the party but unfortunately
Mrs. Bessason could not go.
The three from Winnipeg left on
June 8, travelled via Northwest Air-
lines to Chicago and from there direct
to Copenhagen via SAS. The Inaugural
Flight to Reykjavik took place, as
scheduled, on Tuesday, June 11, and
on Wednesday and Thursday the
guests could go as they pleased. On
Friday, June 14, there was an excur-
sion to Thingvellir, the original site of
the Icelandic Althing, the gorgeous
waterfalls, Gullfoss, and to Hvera-
gerSi, noted for its hothouse flowers
and fruits.
On Saturday there was a flight to
Akureyri on the north coast of Ice-
land and the beautiful Myvatn district.
Luncheon of choice Myvatn trout was
served as well as Icelandic skyr at
Hotel ReynihliS. Both were a treat
to all in the party including Italians
and others from southern Europe.
Some members of the party stopped
off to fish in “Laxara” the Salmon
River, and one group reached the
north coast and went by boat to the
edge of the icefield and actually
stepped on to the ice. It was somewhat
rough and from two to three meters
thick above the ocean surface.
The party returned from the Myvatn
area, with its strange lava figures, to
Akureyri, reaching the town about 7
p.m. The town council and local
authorities took over during the even-
ing. There was a refreshment hour in
the “SjilfstaeSishus” and a complete
dinner wa.s served in the Hotel K.E.A.
At 11:30 p.m. the flight back to
Reykjavik by Icelandair commenced
and lasted for three hours as detours
were taken in different directions. In
fact, it proved to be a most interesting
and instructive trip. First the aircraft