The Benefit of Adding a Second Helicopter Base in Iceland: The Impact of Weather.
Air medical journal · 2026-01-01 · Method & validation
Abstract
Iceland's geography and weather present unique challenges for helicopter emergency services. Currently, there is 1 helicopter base in Reykjavík (REK), which is used for both search and rescue operations and medical emergencies. Adding a second helicopter base in Akureyri (AEY) has been suggested to increase coverage. This study investigates how the increase in coverage from adding a base in AEY is affected by weather. Based on historical weather data, we also examine whether there is a negative correlation between the ability of helicopters to fly from REK and AEY. The results indicate that weather has minimal impact on the relative benefit of adding a second helicopter base in AEY and suggest that there might be a weak negative correlation between helicopter flying conditions in REK and AEY. By considering weather conditions in coverage analysis, this study evaluates the resilience of base configurations and provides empirical evidence to support strategic base location decisions.