R.I.P. Sigurdur Helgason

Travel Blog  •  Rob Verger  •  02.19.09 | 12:41 PM ET

Photo by sfllaw, via Flickr (Creative Commons)

Sigurdur Helgason, who died Feb. 8 at the age of 87, is credited with growing the airline that became known as the “hippie airline.”

“Mr. Helgason built up the United States market, carrying tens of thousands of budget travelers to Europe on what is known today as Icelandair,” his obituary reports.

The article quotes his daughter, Edda, as saying, “He opened up the opportunity for people in America to appreciate the value of Europe, and Europe of America, and there was Iceland, perfectly located, in between.”