Airports In Iceland: A Comprehensive Overview

Iceland is a small island nation in the North Atlantic Ocean, known for its stunning natural beauty and unique atmosphere. It offers spectacular views, including active volcanoes, the aurora borealis, and frozen waterfalls. With such a diverse landscape, it's no surprise that there are several airports catering to both domestic and international flights. So, how many airports does Iceland have?

Keflavík International Airport (KEF)

Iceland has 464 authorised airports, but Keflavík International Airport (KEF) is the largest and the country's main hub for international transportation. It is located on the Reykjanes peninsula, about 50 kilometres (31 miles) from Reykjavík city centre, and 3 kilometres (1.9 miles) west of the town of Keflavík, Reykjanesbær. The airport is only used for international flights; all domestic flights use the smaller Reykjavík Airport.

Keflavík International Airport has two runways, each measuring approximately 3,050 metres (10,010 feet). The airport is operated by Isavia, a government enterprise. The Leifur Eiríksson International Air Terminal is located at Keflavík Airport, and all retail sales and services in the departure hall are located within the duty-free zone.

The airport 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 4 kilometres 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 and was named after another pilot, George Meeks, who died on the Reykjavík airfield.

In 1949, a passenger terminal was built by the Lockheed Overseas Aircraft Service. In its early years, the terminal was mostly used for troop transport and transatlantic technical stops. 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 was controversial, and during the 1960s and 1970s, rallies were held to protest the U.S. military presence. However, the protests were not effective, and the U.S. military remained at the airport until 2006, when the base was handed over to the Icelandic Government.

The original Keflavík passenger terminal, built in 1949, was located within the military air base, which meant travellers had to pass through military checkpoints to reach their flights. In April 1987, a new civilian terminal was constructed 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 Reykjavík was proposed, which would be Iceland's first passenger railway. As of 2023, the proposal has not progressed past the planning stage.

Keflavík International Airport is a hub for airlines including Icelandair, Play, Iceland Express, and WOW air. All major airlines flying to Iceland come through Keflavík airport, and it can be busy due to high demand. The airport has a good system in place, and staff work hard to keep operations running smoothly. There is a wide variety of shops, restaurants, bars, and cafes, which are split into two separate areas.

Reykjavík Domestic Airport (RKV)

Iceland has 464 authorised airports, but only four main airports: Keflavík International Airport (KEF), Reykjavík Domestic Airport (RKV), Egilsstaðir Domestic Airport (EGS), and Akureyri Domestic Airport (AEY).

Reykjavík Domestic Airport is the main domestic airport serving Reykjavík, Iceland's capital. Located about two kilometres from the city centre, it is the domestic hub for Icelandair flights and has two runways. The airport is owned and operated by the state enterprise Isavia.

Reykjavík Airport is much smaller than Keflavík International Airport, which is about 50 kilometres out of town. As a result, it only serves domestic flights within Iceland and limited flights to Greenland. The airport also services medivac, private aviation, and general aviation.

Reykjavík Airport is sometimes called Reykjavik City Airport or Reykjavik Domestic Airport to distinguish it from the larger Keflavík International Airport.

The airport has three runways, two of which are active all year round. The two main runways are 01/19, which is 5,140 ft/1,567 m long, and 13/31, which is 4,034 ft/1,230 m long. The runways are open from 7 am to 11 pm on weekdays and 8 am to 11 pm on weekends and public holidays.

The airport has two terminals. The main terminal handles both international and domestic traffic for Air Iceland, while a smaller terminal serves domestic and international business for Eagle Air flights.

There are no ATMs at the airport, but passengers can find them in the city centre, which is a short walk away.

Reykjavík Airport handled 400,044 passengers in 2018.

Akureyri Airport (AEY)

Iceland has 464 authorized airports, with the four biggest being Keflavik International Airport, Reykjavik Domestic Airport, Egilsstaðir Domestic Airport, and Akureyri Airport (AEY). Akureyri Airport is an international airport located in Akureyri, Iceland, 3 kilometres (1.6 nautical miles) or 3km south of the town centre. The airport is situated on the flats at the mouth of the river Eyjafjarðará.

The airport opened in 1954 with a 1000-metre runway, and a new terminal was constructed in 1961. The terminal was expanded in 1970 and 1996, and renovated in 2000 to better accommodate international flights. In 2022, the first airline specifically serving international destinations in northern Iceland, Niceair, began operations at Akureyri airport, initially serving Copenhagen and Tenerife. However, Niceair suspended all operations in April 2023 due to financial issues.

Isavia and local tourism stakeholders have long-term plans to increase capacity and introduce new international routes to the airport. Expansion of the passenger terminal and ramp area is necessary to accommodate larger aircraft and a growing number of passengers, and to establish a safe diversionary airport for flights to Keflavik Airport, Iceland's largest airport. This need became evident during the 2010 eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull, when many international flights operated from Akureyri after Keflavik airport closed due to volcanic ash.

In 2023, a 35,000m2 ramp area extension was opened, and an expanded passenger terminal was added in December 2024, providing separate areas for international and domestic traffic, along with dedicated security and passport control facilities, and a duty-free store.

Egilsstaðir Airport (EGS)

Iceland has 464 authorised airports, including the four major airports: Keflavík International Airport (KEF), Reykjavík Domestic Airport (RKV), Egilsstaðir Domestic Airport (EGS), and Akureyri Domestic Airport (AEY).

Egilsstaðir Airport is a single-runway airport in Egilsstaðir, Iceland. The airport is located on the Egilsstaðanes peninsula, on the banks of Lagarfljót lake, between Egilsstaðir town and Fellabær town. It is approximately 2km from the town of Egilsstaðir, which is a 25-minute walk or a 2-minute drive away. Egilsstaðir is the largest town in Eastern Iceland, and the airport serves as a gateway to the region. The airport is located on the ring road (Route 1).

The airport is designated as an international airport and port of entry by the Icelandic government, but as of 2024, it has no scheduled international flights. The only scheduled carrier is Icelandair, which operates domestic flights to Reykjavík. The airport is also used for medical, emergency, charter, and general aviation.

The original gravel runway was constructed in 1951 and was equipped with runway lights in 1954. In 1993, a new lengthened asphalt runway replaced the gravel runway, and the terminal was rebuilt and expanded between 1987 and 1999. A new arrivals hall was opened in 2007.

During the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic eruption in 2010, many flights were diverted to Egilsstaðir Airport due to ATC restrictions caused by volcanic ash.

Transport to and from Egilsstaðir Airport

Taxis are available at the airport, and several car rental companies operate there, including Höldur/Europcar, Hertz, Avis, and Budget.

Strætó bs operates two public bus routes from the airport, both of which pass through the town of Egilsstaðir. One route goes to Neskaupstaður via Reyðarfjörður and Eskifjörður, and the other goes to Seyðisfjörður. As of 2024, each route is only operated twice per day.

Ísafjörður Airport (IFJ)

Ísafjörður Airport is considered an off-the-beaten-path destination, offering travellers a unique experience away from the more commonly visited areas of Iceland. The region is known for its remote and rugged beauty, with dramatic scenery that sets it apart from other parts of the country.

The airport serves as a gateway to the Westfjords region, which is known for its unspoiled nature and outdoor activities. Travellers can explore the majestic fjords, hike through pristine landscapes, and enjoy activities such as kayaking, fishing, and wildlife watching. The area is also known for its rich cultural heritage, with a vibrant history and unique traditions that set it apart from other regions in Iceland.

Ísafjörður Airport is a smaller airport compared to the larger hubs in the country, such as Keflavík International Airport and Reykjavík Domestic Airport. It primarily serves domestic flights, connecting travellers to other parts of Iceland. The airport is well-connected to the capital, Reykjavík, with smooth flight connections making it accessible to visitors.

The airport is also known for its efficiency and friendly staff, ensuring a positive travel experience for those passing through. While the facilities may be more limited compared to larger airports, Ísafjörður Airport offers essential services and a comfortable environment for travellers exploring this beautiful and remote region of Iceland.

Frequently asked questions