2012 Record Year at Keflavik International Airport

2012 was a record breaker at Keflavik International with a total of 2.380.216 passengers, a 12.7 percent increase over 2011. A further 10 percent increase is expected in 2013. Airport operator, Isavia, prepares to modify terminal facilities to meet the challenge with increased capacity and sustained passenger comfort which has brought the airport to the top seat of European airports twice in the last few years.

Last year saw a total of 1,946,978 passengers entering and leaving Iceland, a 14.6 percent increase from 2011, and 433,238 passengers transited this successful Atlantic hub. The passenger surge signifies renewed growth since the 2008 financial crisis.

Isavia and other tourist industry leaders maintain a robust marketing campaign and promotion of destination Iceland. Keflavik‘s largest customer Icelandair has announced a 15 percent increase in 2013 and new operators have entered the market. WOW Air, established in 2012, has taken over most of the former Iceland Express operation and easyJet and Norwegian started year round operation.  Predicted rise in passengers is relatively higher in the winter season, which fits well with Keflavik‘s plan for better off-season utilization.

Keflavik International Airport has reacted decisively to the greatly increased passenger traffic with more terminal capacity, including added self-service kiosks and modified spaces for enhanced comfort and expediency. New pre-boarding areas and boarding gates are planned this spring together with other indoor modifications, such as expanded waiting, shopping and service spaces in the south part of the terminal which is aimed at better comfort and quicker boarding and arrival procedures.

Investment cost of ongoing modification programs runs over 1 billion ISK with 100 jobs in construction. The modifications are expected to be mostly complete before the start of the busy summer schedule.