Major development plans for KEF Airport
Artist's impression of the airport with all work complete. Photo: Isavia
Major development work at Keflavík International Airport (KEF) could see the airport handle 25 million passengers a year by 2040.
A comprehensive action plan for developing Iceland’s main international airport was presented today by the airport’s operator Isavia. Work is due to begin next year and will involve the entire airport zone and surrounding areas.
The 25-year KEF ‘Master Plan’ includes doubling the size of the airport terminal, adding an extra runway, and increasing the number of aircraft parking stands.
The changes will mean that the airport will be able, by 2040, to handle up to 14 million passengers per year – if flights remain ‘bunched’ as is the case today – or up to 25 million if flights are spread out more evenly throughout the day.
Work will be carried out in 2-3 phases. The first phase, beginning in 2016, will cover an area of 700,000 m2 and cost an estimated ISK 70-90 billion (approx. €495-635 million).
The Master Plan will be funded entirely from airport revenue, with no financial contribution from the State. KEF receives roughly half of its revenue from the shops and businesses based in the airport, and the other half from passenger airport taxes.
The Plan was first announced in the spring and has been presented at some fifty meetings all over Iceland. Input from stakeholders has been taken on board and various amendments have been made to the final plans.
A new runway is part of the Master Plan. Photo: Isavia
