The first flight of easyJet to Akureyri

The first aircraft from the British airline, easyJet, landed at Akureyri Airport today. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in the history of tourism in the North of Iceland. The next five months will see two flights per week between London and Akureyri, on Tuesdays and Saturdays until the end of March 2024.

This is stated in a notice from the Marketing Office of North Iceland.

Winter months are a special focus

“Northern Icelandic tourism in collaboration with local and state authorities has worked tirelessly to obtain regular international flights through Akureyri Airport.

Special attention has been paid to winter in this context, and I am especially pleased that easyJet is the first foreign airline to maintain international flights through Akureyri.

British tourists have been the largest group of visitors to Iceland during the winter season, and it is therefore clear that the arrival of easyJet will have a huge impact,” the announcement states.

Increasing and better use of infrastructure

The Minister of Tourism has strongly supported the development of air travel through Akureyri Airport and is aiming to give the project even more impetus, including the creation of a working group with the aim of securing direct flights in the future.

The Icelandic Minister of Culture and Business Lilja Alfreðsdóttir has been quoted as saying that it is a turning point in Iceland’s aviation history that easyJet has started direct flights between London and Akureyri outside the summer season in tourism.

“Such flights increase opportunities to use the infrastructure in tourism better and more efficiently on a year-to-year basis and improve living conditions in the north, as easy access to international flights is an important part of living in a modern society.

The Ministry of Culture and Business will continue to support the development of international flights to Akureyri, but in the coming term steps will be taken to further increase the impetus of this work, as there are many opportunities.

I wish the people in the North "congratulations" on this milestone and look forward to following it up in good co-operation with the local people," the minister added in the announcement.

More choices and diversity

Ali Gayward, the regional manager of easyJet in the UK, is also quoted as saying that the company is pleased to start operating this new route between London and Akureyri.

“This unique route creates more choice and variety for our customers from the UK during the winter with experiences such as hot nature baths, jeep tours, whale watching and northern lights.

We are therefore certain that this destination will become popular and we look forward to welcoming passengers on board our aircraft en route to Akureyri,” Gayward added.