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Iceland turns into the forty second Member State of EUROCONTROL formally
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
On January 1, 2025, Iceland formally joined EUROCONTROL as its forty second Member State, marking a big milestone in its aviation journey and its ongoing integration into Europe’s aviation community.
This accession comes precisely a decade after the final Member State joined the group, highlighting Iceland’s dedication to advancing its function in European air navigation and aviation cooperation.
A Longstanding Partnership
Iceland has been deeply built-in into the European aviation framework for over 25 years, by way of its membership within the European Financial Space, the Schengen Space, and the European Free Commerce Affiliation (EFTA).
Moreover, Iceland has collaborated intently with EUROCONTROL since 1998, initially as an observer within the group’s Provisional Council conferences.
In 2022, the partnership took a big step ahead with the signing of a Transitional Settlement. This settlement allowed Iceland to familiarize itself additional with EUROCONTROL’s working preparations, instruments, and companies, paving the way in which for full membership.
Operational Collaboration
Iceland and EUROCONTROL have labored collectively extensively on operational issues, notably within the trade of information, visitors movement coordination, and airspace administration.
Notably, this collaboration proved essential throughout the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic eruption in 2010, when each events coordinated efforts to handle the widespread disruption to European air visitors.
Management Views
Jón Gunnar Jónsson, Director Normal of the Icelandic Transport Authority (ICETRA), highlighted the strategic significance of this membership:“Geographically positioned at a crossroads between continents, aviation and air navigation are vitally vital for Iceland, performing as a key financial driver of progress and prosperity, in addition to comprising the first mode of transport throughout borders.
Becoming a member of EUROCONTROL marks a logical step and is testimony to our longstanding cooperation.”
Trying Forward
As a full member of EUROCONTROL, Iceland will play a core function in shaping the way forward for European air navigation and aviation.
This partnership goals to strengthen the European aviation community, improve air visitors administration, and guarantee seamless integration throughout borders.
The accession underscores Iceland’s strategic place as a significant hyperlink between continents and its dedication to fostering progress and sustainability inside the aviation sector.
Each EUROCONTROL and Iceland anticipate nearer collaboration within the years forward as they work collectively to advance the targets of protected, environment friendly, and environmentally accountable aviation throughout Europe and past.
