Icelandair now holds 70% market share

Following the collapse of Play, Icelandair’s market share has risen to 70%, while Play’s share had stood at 19%. Play had expected this figure to drop to around 8% over the next three months — but now, of course, its market share has disappeared entirely.

No direct flights to nine destinations

Play offered flights to 21 destinations this summer. With its exit, nine destinations will no longer have direct service from Iceland in the coming months. These include Madrid, Liverpool, Faro, Porto, Vilnius, Antalya, and Split, among others.

Article on Iceland Monitor

Play Airlines ceases operations

Competition on routes to Tenerife — often dubbed Iceland’s “unofficial colony” due to its popularity among Icelanders — will also diminish, leaving Icelandair as the sole operator aside from occasional charter flights arranged by travel agencies.

Could change by next summer

This situation may not last long. Isavia has already reached out to foreign airlines about stepping in to cover some of Play’s former routes.

“The company is in good discussions with airlines operating through KEF about possibly taking over routes Play used to serve. Such additions, however, are unlikely before next summer,” Isavia said in a statement.