Reykjavik's Airport Scenario: A Tale Of Two Hubs

Iceland has 33 airports, but only two serve the capital, Reykjavik. These are Keflavik International Airport (KEF) and Reykjavik Domestic Airport (RKV). Both airports are often confused with one another, even by locals, who sometimes refer to both as the Reykjavik Airport.

Reykjavik has two airports: Keflavik International Airport (KEF) and Reykjavik Domestic Airport (RKV)

Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, has two airports: Keflavik International Airport (KEF) and Reykjavik Domestic Airport (RKV). Both airports serve distinct purposes and cater to different travellers.

Keflavik International Airport is Iceland's main international airport. It is the largest airport in the country and is located about 50 kilometres southwest of Reykjavik. The airport handles most international flights to and from Iceland and is a hub for airlines like Icelandair and Play. It is equipped with all the necessary facilities for international travellers, including shops, restaurants, currency exchange services, and a children's play area.

On the other hand, Reykjavik Domestic Airport, as the name suggests, primarily serves domestic flights within Iceland. It is located just two kilometres from Reykjavik's city centre, making it a convenient option for those travelling within the country. The airport also handles some international flights to Greenland and the Faroe Islands. It has two terminals, with the main terminal serving Air Iceland and the smaller terminal serving Eagle Air.

Travellers should be mindful of the difference between these two airports to avoid confusion, as even locals sometimes refer to both airports as "the Reykjavik Airport." It is important to check your booking and ticket details carefully to ensure you arrive at the correct airport, especially when transferring between Keflavik and Reykjavik airports for domestic connections.

KEF is Iceland's main international airport, located 50km from Reykjavik

Iceland has two major airports: Keflavík International Airport (KEF) and Reykjavík Domestic Airport (RKV). KEF is Iceland's main international airport, located 50km from Reykjavik. It is the largest airport in the country and the main hub for international transportation. The airport is located approximately 3km west of the town of Keflavík, and 50km southwest of Reykjavik. It has two runways, each measuring approximately 3,050m. Most international journeys to or from Iceland pass through this airport.

KEF is a hub for Icelandair and the airline Play. The airport is only used for international flights; all domestic flights use the smaller Reykjavík Airport, which lies 3km from Reykjavik's city centre. KEF is operated by Isavia, a government enterprise.

The airport offers a range of facilities, including restaurants, bars, cafes, convenience stores, banks, a smoking area, duty-free shopping, and a VIP lounge. It has a single terminal, originally called Leifsstöð (named after Leif Erikson). There are 13 jet-bridge gates and 17 remote stands. The terminal is split into A, C and D gates, with A gates located closest to the main lounge along the main hallway.

Travellers can choose from several transport options to get to and from KEF, including car rentals, bus services, and taxi services. The airport is linked to downtown Reykjavik via a 50km journey on the Route 41 dual carriageway. There is also a separated pedestrian and bike path from KEF to the town of Keflavík, but not to Reykjavik. Long-term and short-term parking is available at the airport.

KEF has a rich history, dating back to World War II when it was built by the United States military as a replacement for a small British landing strip at Garður. It consisted of two separate two-runway airfields, built simultaneously just 4km apart. Over the years, the airport has undergone several expansions and developments, including the addition of new terminals, runways, and retail and dining options.

In summary, KEF plays a crucial role as Iceland's main gateway for international travellers, offering a range of facilities and transport options for visitors. Its location, approximately 50km from Reykjavik, makes it a convenient hub for those travelling to and from the capital city.

RKV is the primary domestic airport serving Iceland's capital

RKV: Reykjavik's Primary Domestic Airport

Reykjavik Airport (RKV) is the main domestic airport serving Iceland's capital, Reykjavik. Located in Vatnsmýri, it is just 2 kilometres (1.2 miles) from the city centre. As the domestic hub for Icelandair flights, it is the centre for domestic flights in Iceland.

RKV is also the closest airport to the city centre, with a bus taking around 10 minutes to reach the heart of Reykjavik, where attractions such as Hallgrímskirkja, the Golden Circle, and the Icelandic Phallological Museum are located. A taxi will get you there in about 5 minutes.

The airport has two runways and a single passenger terminal. It also handles some international flights, including transatlantic ferry flights, private flights, and flights to Greenland. In addition, it serves as an alternate airport for flights inbound to Keflavik International Airport (KEF) during adverse weather conditions.

RKV is also an important base for ambulance flights in Iceland, serving the nearby Landspitali University Hospital at Hringbraut.

A Brief History of RKV

The first flight from the airport area in Vatnsmýri took place on September 3, 1919, with the takeoff of an Avro 504, the first aeroplane in Iceland. Throughout the 1930s, seaplane flights were predominant in Reykjavik. In 1940, Flugfélag Akureyrar (now Icelandair) moved its hub to Reykjavik and switched to fixed-wing scheduled flights from the Vatnsmýri area.

During World War II, the British Army constructed an airport at the Vatnsmýri site, which became known as Reykjavík Field or RAF Reykjavik. After the war, in 1946, the British handed over the airport operation to the Icelandic government, and it has been operated by Isavia since.

In the 1960s, larger aircraft emerged, and international services were relocated to Keflavik Airport due to the shorter runways at RKV. Since then, RKV has primarily served domestic flights, with some limited international services.

RKV is 2km from Reykjavik's city centre and handles some international flights

Reykjavik is served by two airports: Keflavík International Airport (KEF) and Reykjavík Domestic Airport (RKV). RKV is located just 2km from Reykjavik's city centre and is the main hub for domestic flights across Iceland. While RKV primarily serves domestic flights, it does handle some international flights, as well as inbound flights from KEF during poor weather conditions. Low-budget airlines operate from RKV, with private flights, small international charters, and transatlantic ferry flights.

RKV is the closest airport to Reykjavik's city centre and its top attractions. It takes just 10 minutes to reach the city centre by bus and 5 minutes by taxi. The airport is well-connected to the city, with efficient and affordable public transport options available. The Strætó bus line 5 runs once daily from 06:44-23:43, taking passengers from the airport to the city centre in around 10 minutes for just $2- $4. Taxis are also readily available at the airport, with fares estimated at $14- $17.

RKV is a much smaller and more modest airport compared to KEF, with a swift and efficient check-in and boarding process due to the lack of border security requirements. The airport has two terminals, with the main terminal handling both international and domestic flights for Air Iceland. The smaller terminal serves Eagle Air, catering to domestic and international business flights. While RKV may not have the extensive facilities of KEF, it is a well-adapted and efficient airport that effectively serves its purpose of managing a handful of domestic and select international flights.

RKV is a convenient and cost-effective option for travellers, with lower flight fares and more affordable transportation options to and from the airport. It is an excellent choice for those looking to save time and money, offering shorter travel times and less crowded facilities compared to KEF.

KEF is the country's largest airport and is 3km from the town of Keflavik

Iceland has many airports scattered across the island, but there are two that are the most well-known: Keflavik International Airport (KEF) and Reykjavik Domestic Airport (RKV). These two airports are often confused with one another, and this is not helped by the fact that locals sometimes refer to both as "the Reykjavik Airport".

KEF is Iceland's largest airport and main hub for international transportation. It is located approximately 3km (1.9mi) west of the town of Keflavik, and 50km (30mi) southwest of Reykjavik. The airport has two runways, each measuring approximately 3,050m (10,010ft). Most international journeys to or from Iceland pass through this airport. It is the arrival point for most international travellers to Iceland, and all domestic flights use the smaller RKV, which lies 3km (2mi) from Reykjavik's city centre.

KEF is operated by Isavia, a government enterprise. It was originally built by the United States military during World War II as a replacement for a small British landing strip at Garður to the north. It consisted of two separate two-runway airfields, built simultaneously just 4km apart. Patterson Field in the southeast opened in 1942, despite being partly incomplete, and was named after a young pilot who died in Iceland. Meeks Field to the northwest opened on 23 March 1943; it was named after another young pilot, George Meeks, who died on the Reykjavik airfield.

In 1949, a passenger terminal was built by the Lockheed Overseas Aircraft Service. In its first years, the terminal was mostly used for troop transport and transatlantic technical stops. Civilian airlines Icelandair and Loftleiðir were still based at RKV. In 1951, the U.S. military returned to the airport under a defence agreement between Iceland and the U.S.

The presence of foreign military forces in Iceland under the NATO-sponsored Iceland–U.S. Defense Agreement of 1951 was controversial in Iceland, which had no military forces other than the Icelandic Coast Guard. During the 1960s and 1970s, rallies were held to protest the U.S. military presence in Iceland, and every year protesters walked the 50km road from Reykjavik to Keflavik.

By the 1970s, almost all international traffic was moved to KEF, relegating RKV to serving domestic services and limited short-haul international traffic to Greenland and the Faroe Islands. The road from Reykjavik to Keflavik was newly rebuilt and paved by 1965, which greatly improved access to KEF from the city.

In April 1987, the Icelandic government finished construction of a relocated civilian terminal on the north side of the airport, with separate access from the military area. The new terminal was named after Leif Erikson, the first European to arrive in North America.

In 2014, a high-speed airport rail link to Reykjavik was proposed, which would be Iceland's first passenger railway. As of 2023, proposals have not progressed past the planning phase, but the route is safeguarded in local and airport masterplans.

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