Reykjavik-Anchorage Flight – a promising connection

We are delighted to welcome the official launch of Icelandair’s service to Anchorage, Alaska, on May 15.  We believe this connection will underscore the broad range of common interests shared by Iceland  and the United States.  My fellow countrymen from Alaska have the same independent, creative, and  hard work qualities that characterize Icelanders and both see the Arctic as a critical element of their  future.

This has become abundantly clear over the many recent months we have welcomed Alaskan delegations to Iceland and we have witnessed their interaction with our Icelandic friends.  The latest  delegation, led by Commissioner for Commerce Susan Bell, has expressed its desire to further deepen Alaska’s ties (business, cultural, scientific, and educational) to Iceland.  We know that this is possible and very beneficial to both countries.  This new direct flight will make it easier than ever to build these  connections between Alaskans and Icelanders.

Alaska delegation rocks at the Mid-Atlantic

The Alaska delegation to Icelandair's Mid-Atlantic conference of travel industry representatives from North America and Europe hosted the closing dinner of the conference at the Hilton Nordica. Our Alaska hosts (Visit Anchorage, the State of Alaska and the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute) gave their guests a fun-filled evening of fantastic Alaska seafood, entertainment by the famous Inuit musical band Pamyua, and great photo-ops with world famous Alaska wildlife. It was an evening that celebrated the upcoming launch of Icelandair's new flight to Anchorage and built stronger connections between Alaska and Iceland.

Powerhouse Alaska delegation visits Iceland

The Embassy had the pleasure of welcoming, briefing, and supporting a powerhouse delegation from Alaska composed of legislators, university researchers, government and business leaders who are visiting Iceland to explore building stronger business, government, cultural and educational alliances between Alaska and Iceland. The delegation was organized by the Institute of the North – a think tank dedicated to exploring, convening, and discussing the opportunities and challenges throughout the Arctic. It was evident from the beginning of their interactions that Iceland and Alaska share many of the same challenges and opportunities provided by the Arctic and that leaders from both have similar values and outlook. The delegation is meeting with Icelandic business leaders and senior government officials. This visit demonstrates the growing partnership between Iceland and the United States in Arctic matters and is also a concrete example of the many values and interests that we share.

Visit from Senator Lisa Murkowski

                                                                                    Photo: Fréttablaðið/Anton

Last week we had the pleasure of welcoming Senator Lisa Murkowski and members of her family to Iceland. While here, she participated in a meeting of Arctic parliamentarians in Akureyri and met with President Grimsson, Foreign Minister Skarphedinsson and several members of the Althingi. Senator Murkowski comes from Alaska and she said Iceland felt a lot like home and the many natural affinities between Alaska and Iceland were clear to her.

Having fun the Alaska way

This past weekend Mary and I were guests at the closing dinner at this year’s Mid-Atlantic organized by Icelandair. The dinner hosted by Visit Anchorage and the large Alaska delegation that attended the conference. The event was attended by representatives from the U.S., Norway, Scotland, Greenland, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, and the Faroe Islands. Alaskans sure know how to organize great events; they brought Alaska salmon, caviar, reindeer sausage, caramel, and a group of Native performers as well as a few wildlife mascots. Alaska and Iceland share not only latitude but a passion for the Arctic. We hope Alaskan participation at this event will lead to closer travel connections with Iceland.