Background
Helgason, Sigurdur was born on July 20, 1921 in Reykjavík, Iceland. Son of Helgi and Olof (Sigurjonsdottir) Hallgrimsson.
Helgason, Sigurdur was born on July 20, 1921 in Reykjavík, Iceland. Son of Helgi and Olof (Sigurjonsdottir) Hallgrimsson.
Bachelor of Business Administration, Columbia University, 1947. Vice chairman Icelandic Airlines/Loftleidir, Reykjavik, 1953-1974. President Icelandic Airlines Incorporated., New York City, 1961-1974.
Chief Executive officer International Air Bahama, 1969-1974.
Managing director Flugleidir hf (Icelandair), Reykjavik, 1974-1979, president, chief Executive officer, 1979-1984, Chairman of the Board, 1984-1991. Trustee International House, New York City, 1968, Saint Joseph Hospital, Reykjavik, 1979, American Scandinavian Foundation, New York City, 1982.
Sigurdur Helgason is credited with pioneering the "hippie airline", Icelandair, that made low-cost air travel to Europe possible for generations of Americans
He then returned to Iceland, where he managed a cement company. In 1953, Helgason joined the board of what is now Icelandair, a small airline that had been formed by three pilots nine years earlier. At the time International Air Transport Association (International Air Transport Association) controlled its members" fares.
As a non-member, Icelandic (as the company was then known) was able to significantly undercut other transatlantic carriers" pricing, and it began service from New York to Luxembourg in 1955.
According to Gudjon Arngrimsson, Icelandair"s current Vice President for Corporate Communication, Helgason was a "very key player" in the strategy. Helgason managed the American operations of the company from 1961 to 1973, at which point he returned to Reykjavík to become Chief Executive Officer of Icelandair.
He stepped down as chief executive in 1984, assuming the position of chairman until retirement in 1991. He then lived In Iceland, Mustique, and New New York
Helgason"s main interest after retirement were fly fishing and the International House of New New York
He leased many rivers across Iceland including the Hofsa. Helgason died aged 87 in Mustique, the Grenadines, where he spent winters. Helgason was the first and only non-native to be buried on the island.
Member Icelandic-American Society (chairman 1975-1987), International Chamber of Commerce (board directors Iceland chapter 1982-1991), International Air Transport Association (member Executive Committee 1988-1990), Rotary, Wings.
Married Unnur Einarsdottir, December 20, 1952. Children: Olof, Edda, Helgi, Sigurdur.