Icelandair offers discount as thanks for Nordic loan

To show its appreciation for Thursday’s offer of financial assistance from Iceland’s Nordic neighbours, the country’s airline, Icelandair, said on Friday it was offering a 25 percent discount on all economy class seats.

• Swedish tourist halted for having 'terrorist name' (14 Feb 12)
• SAS earnings hit by Spanair bankruptcy (9 Feb 12)
• SAS to lose profits over Spanair bankruptcy (28 Jan 12)

“The Nordic countries have come to Iceland’s rescue with a loan – and for that we are very thankful,” the airline said in a statement.

The discount will apply to all economy class tickets as well as a limited number of Economy Comfort tickets booked between the 22nd and 27th of November on a first come, first served basis.

Travel must be completed by March 31st, 2009.

The offer comes less than a day after the finance ministers of Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland announced their countries were arranging a $2.5 billion loan to help Iceland cope with its acute economic crisis.

“Our wish is that more will travel to Iceland and see with their own eyes what a fantastic country is sitting out here in the middle of the north Atlantic,” said the airline.

“Now you can travel there and experience a Christmas feeling like something out of a movie while at the same time taking care of your holiday shopping or wait until after the New Year when you need a chance to relax.”

The promotion marks the second time the airline has taken steps to boost tourism to Iceland since the country’s economy was hit by a crushing financial crisis earlier this year.

In late October, Icelandair tried to correct misperceptions about the effects of the crisis, reminding Swedes that Iceland was open for business and that the country’s devalued currency had made the capital of Reykjavik one of the Nordic region's cheapest cities.

“There is no shortage of food or other goods. Department stores, grocery stores, restaurants, hotels, bars, charter companies and other tourist attractions, etc. are all open," the airline said at the time.