Ocean swimming

Hallgrimur Haraldsson is the foreman of the Air Iceland Connect apron department at Reykjavik Airport. In the span of his career he has had his share of adventures at the airline’s destinations, including Greenland, where he has been a few times.

TEXT: Svava Jonsdottir PHOTO: Arni Saeberg

What would you recommend travellers experience in Reykjavik and the surrounding area?

“You can go to the theatre, cinema and to concerts. And whale watching. Heidmork is stunning and walking in the forest is like entering a fairy tale. Reykjavik Family Park and Zoo is a delight. There are many beautiful places around Reykjavik. Hvalfjordur fjord in the West, for example, is breathtaking in fair weather. I also recommend heading eastwards and visiting Thingvellir National Park, for example.” How much luggage usually goes on board?

Dog sle ds, foxes and minks

For how long have you worked for Air Iceland Connect and what does your job include?

“I’ve worked for Air Iceland Connect for 16 years, four thereof in Akureyri. I usually arrive at work at 6 am to prep the day for the boys and then we start the shift by picking up products from the shipping department and the luggage from the passengers when they check in. We must load and unload products and baggage and take care of all other work surrounding the airplanes on the apron. We must be present when the pilots or mechanics start the airplanes and when they leave the aircraft stands. When they land, we have to point them towards the stands and we guide the pilots in positioning them correctly in the apron.

The job is very diverse. For example, in the winter we sometimes have to spray a special hot fluid onto the airplanes to clear off snow and ice before they take off.”

“It varies, but the luggage often weighs 500 to 1,500 kilos. If it’s a cargo flight to Kulusuk, which is common, then it’s fruits and vegetables along with mail and then it might even be three tonnes on one flight.”

Is it sometimes difficult to stack all the luggage and cargo in the airplanes?

“Yes, it can be difficult because the space on board is often limited. If there’s a lot of luggage and cargo then we’ve sometimes had to take everything out which had already been placed inside the plane and stack it again to make room for everything.”

Air Iceland Connect flies to a few destinations in Greenland. Do you and other employees of the apron department sometimes travel with the airplanes to these destinations?

“Yes, but not as often as I used to. I rather send the boys along. We