Keflavík International Airport

Keflavík International Airport
SuperJet International · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Name	Keflavík International Airport
IATA	KEF
ICAO	BIKF
Owner	Isavia
Operator	Isavia
City-served	Reykjavík
Location	Keflavík, Reykjavíkurborg
Elevation-f	171
Elevation-m	52
Website	https://www.isavia.is/en/keflavik-airport
R1-number	01/19
R1-length-m	3,054
R1-length-f	10,020
R1-surface	Asphalt
R2-number	10/28
R2-length-m	3,065
R2-length-f	10,056
R2-surface	Asphalt

Keflavík International Airport is the primary international gateway to Iceland and the largest airport in the country. Located on the Reykjanes peninsula near the town of Keflavík, approximately 50 kilometers southwest of the capital Reykjavík, it serves as a major transatlantic hub and a vital connection point between Europe and North America. The airport is operated by the national airport and air navigation service provider, Isavia, and handles the vast majority of the nation's international passenger and cargo traffic.

History

The airport's origins trace back to World War II, when it was constructed by the United States Army as a military airfield known as Meeks Field. Following the war, it was developed under the auspices of the NATO-United States Defense Agreement of 1951, with the United States Navy establishing Naval Air Station Keflavik. This strategic base played a crucial role during the Cold War, monitoring Soviet activities in the North Atlantic. Civilian operations began in the 1950s, with Icelandair and Loftleiðir utilizing the facility. Following the closure of the American military base in 2006, the airport underwent a significant expansion, including the opening of a new passenger terminal designed by the architectural firm Arkís.

Facilities

The airport features a single, modern terminal building divided into two main concourses. It offers a wide range of passenger amenities including numerous duty-free shops operated by Icelandic Duty Free, restaurants, cafes, and banking services. The facility is equipped to handle significant passenger volumes and features extensive aircraft maintenance and cargo handling capabilities. Key infrastructure includes two long, parallel runways capable of accommodating the largest wide-body aircraft, such as the Boeing 747 and Boeing 777, operated by carriers like Delta Air Lines and United Airlines. The airport also serves as a home base for the Icelandic Coast Guard's air fleet.

Airlines and destinations

Keflavík International Airport is a hub for the national flag carrier, Icelandair, and the low-cost airline PLAY. It hosts a diverse array of international carriers providing year-round and seasonal services. Major European operators include British Airways, Lufthansa, KLM, Scandinavian Airlines, and easyJet, with connections to cities like London, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam. Transatlantic services are offered by Delta Air Lines to New York and Boston, United Airlines to Newark, and WestJet to Toronto. Seasonal charters also connect to destinations across Europe and North America.

Ground transportation

The primary road link to the capital region is Route 41, which connects to the Reykjavík area. The Flybus airport shuttle service provides frequent transfers to major hotels and the BSÍ Bus Terminal in Reykavík. Several private bus companies and taxi services, including Hreyfill, also operate from the terminal. Car rental agencies such as Hertz, Avis, and Europcar have desks within the airport. There is no direct rail connection, and public bus services within the Reykjanesbær municipality are provided by Strætó.

Statistics

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the airport experienced rapid growth, with passenger numbers exceeding 9.8 million in 2018, largely driven by the expansion of tourism in Iceland and the growth of connecting traffic. Icelandair and WOW air were historically the largest carriers, though the latter ceased operations in 2019. The airport is a critical cargo hub for Iceland, handling perishable goods like fish exports. According to Eurostat and Isavia data, it consistently ranks among the busiest airports in the Nordic countries by international passenger count.

Accidents and incidents

The airport has maintained a strong safety record. One of the most notable incidents occurred in 1970 when a Douglas DC-8 operated by Icelandic Airlines (formerly Loftleiðir) overran the runway during a training exercise; there were no fatalities. In 1984, a United States Air Force F-111 aircraft crashed on approach, resulting in the deaths of both crew members. More recently, in 2019, a Boeing 737 MAX operated by Norwegian Air Shuttle made an emergency return due to technical issues, landing safely without injury.