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Development

Keflavík International Airport

The Leif Eiriksson Air Terminal was brought into use in April 1987. It was, at the time, around 20,000 m2. At present, it is approximately 73,000 m2, 3.5 times larger than when opened. During the same period, the number of passengers passing through the airport has increased thirteen-fold, rising from 750,000 the first year to 9.8m in 2018. This is far beyond what was stated in the basic passenger forecast of the development schedule for Keflavík Airport four years ago. The schedule assumed 8.8 million passengers in 2025 and 13.8m passengers in 2040.

Graphic - Keflavik airport is today 3.5x larger than when opened in 1987

It is clear, therefore, that to meet international service standards properly, the airport will have to be enlarged, and the development schedule is prepared to meet this need. The schedule is based on an extensive needs analysis. The tasks of the schedule are divided between air terminal and the airport systems projects. The airport terminal projects are, according to the development schedule, four:

  1. The continued broadening of the concourse between the north and south buildings, with new boarders and the enlargement of the catering area.
  2. The north building enlarged to the east, with space for luggage screening.
  3. New concourse with up to 17 aircraft gates with gangways together with gates that can be used for remote stands.
  4. New service desks for arrivals and departures passengers in the new north building.

The airport systems projects are intended to increase the capacity and safety of the runway system and eliminate the bottlenecks that could form there. These projects include a de-icing apron, two new access taxiways, a fast-track taxiway and other connections between aprons and taxiways.

In 2018, design of the first airport project began with the design of a new connecting building between the north and south buildings of the airport. Construction could begin as early as 2020. The project involves an approximately 30,000 m2 structure. In addition, preparations are underway for an invitation to tender for the project management of the design and construction of a new concourse.

Other airports and landing sites.

There was little new construction at other airports during 2018, although work was carried out on maintenance projects at scheduled-flight airports and landing sites throughout Iceland. 

At Reykjavík Airport, several trees were felled in Öskjujhlíð, as they were beginning to disrupt approaches to the airport. In addition, maintenance work is being carried out on the buildings at the airport. The most pressing tasks relating to the surface of runways were also carried out.

Vestmannaeyjar Airport suffered damages to facilities and equipment due to lightning, which called for costly repairs.

At Akureyri Airport, work was carried out on the design and preparations for the installation of ILS approach equipment at the north end of the runway.


Runway in Akureyri


At Egilsstaðir Airport, work was carried out on repairs to the roof of the airport building.

At Ísafjörður Airport, the weather equipment at Arnarnes was renewed.

Investments in equipment amounted to almost ISK 200m during the year. By far the largest investment can be attributed to that at Egilsstaðir Airport, where equipment was renewed for more than ISK 150m where a new combination machine and sand disperser were purchased. A new sand disperser was purchased for the airport at Akureyri. A surveillance vehicle was renewed at Reykjavík Airport. A new runway server was purchased for the airport in Ísafjörður.

Sameyki

Air Navigation Services Division

The Air Navigation Services Division began the year with projects relating to the renewal of flight data systems for the Air Traffic Control Centre. The new system will take over from the current one, which has been operating for some eighteen years and is approaching maximum capacity. Definitions have been completed, and an update schedule for the next seven years has been issued that assumes the first overflight use will be in 2024. The system, named Polaris, will be designed by Tern Systems, a subsidiary of Isavia, in co-operation with Isavia’s Air Navigation Division.

ANS employee at workRenewals of facilities at the Air Traffic Control Centre were completed this year. The projects were carried out on many levels to minimise disruption and support the requirements of the Air Traffic Control Centre each time, e.g. the installation of worktables for use in the ADS-B radar in the west sector and added worktables for increased approach traffic.

The goal of the project was to redesign and update the working facilities in the air traffic control room to accord with modern requirements for occupational safety and health as well as ergonomics. The focus was on a flexible working environment, adding workstations through the better use of floor space and design that makes future expansions more manageable.

The main results were the redesign of the arrangement of the Air Traffic Control Centre, the installation and addition of new specially designed workstations for air controllers and the construction of a new work area for shift leaders and flight data experts. The project was extensive, as in addition to the renewal of working facilities, the ventilation, electrical systems, Internet connections, floor materials, lighting and acoustics were redesigned and updated. At present, there is access to 20 workstations for flight traffic controllers as well as facilities for the shift leader and flight data experts.