Icelandair dismisses plans for new airport in Hvassahraun, focuses on strengthening existing infrastructure

Icelandair, the national carrier of Iceland, has ruled out the development of an airport in Hvassahraun in the near future. The airline’s CEO, Bogi Nils Bogason, stated that there is no need for a new airport.

In 2019, Icelandair considered Hvassahraun as a potential location for a new domestic and international airport and conducted an extensive investigation. However, the airline has now dismissed the idea of an airport in Hvassahraun for the foreseeable future. Since 2015, when Hvassahraun was first considered a suitable location for a new airport, the airline has invested heavily in the expansion of Keflavik Airport, stating there is no need for a new airport.

Bogason emphasized the need to strengthen the existing four international airports in Iceland. He particularly mentioned the airport in Vatnsmýri, stating the need to make it even better, both for passengers and staff, and to strengthen it further as an alternative airport.

Bogason stated that this is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach, and Hvassahraun is now off the table. Icelanders are heavily in debt and need to build up various infrastructures, he said.

A significant report on Hvassahraun as a potential airport site has been in progress for several years and will finally be published next month. Regardless of its findings and ignoring uncertainty due to earthquakes, Bogason said the emphasis should be on building up the airport in Vatnsmýri.

He stated that it has been challenging for them as an airline to build properties and other things due to the uncertainty that has been great. Still, he sees that the uncertainty is decreasing, and there is now more consensus among the authorities that the airport is here to stay for the next few decades.