Iceland’s main airport almost doubles traffic in two years
Iceland’s Keflavik airport saw a 28% increase in passengers last year and is anticipating further rapid growth this year.
Much of the growth has been fuelled by budget flights operated by low-cost airlines including WOW Air and Wizz Air.
The airport, which is close to the capital Reykjavik, handled 8.8 million passengers in 2017, nearly two million more than the previous year.
It said there was a balanced growth between direct and connecting traffic.
"It’s exhilarating to be part of the rapid growth we’re experiencing here at Keflavik and it’s showing no signs of slowing down," said Hlynur Sigurdsson, commercial director of parent company Isavia.
"To get a clear idea of how rapidly our airport is growing, just two years ago we welcomed 4.8 million passengers which means in 24 months we’ve nearly doubled our traffic.
"Forecasts are already suggesting we will not only hit the definitive 10 million passenger mark but significantly pass it this year."
Keflavik is scheduled to launch a further 14 links in the first half of 2018, nine of which will be to North America.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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