Keflavik International Airport Masterplan Review

Isavia has updated its Masterplan for Keflavik International Airport, which marks the first update since the original development plan was published. The Masterplan is reviewed and updated every five years to keep in line with changing circumstances and developments.

“The first review of the Masterplan has been completed, and it is gratifying to see that the plan has been updated to reflect the latest developments that have occurred since its publication,” says Brynjar Vatnsdal, Manager of the Department of Airport Planning & Development of Isavia.

Valid until 2045, the current Masterplan remains largely based on the previous development plan covering 2015 to 2040. However, it has been updated to reflect the latest developments. “Because the Masterplan covers a quarter of a century, it needs to be able to be responsive to evolving needs. It is important to be able to adapt the plan in this way without losing sight of the long-term thinking that it’s based on,” notes Brynjar.

The updated Masterplan allows for the provision of new areas for services and cargo transport, multi-story carparks, and special areas for storage, distribution, and production of sustainable energy sources for aircraft. The plan is now divided into two phases, with Phase 1 covering the period until 2035 based on the existing runway system, and Phase 2 extending until 2045, assuming the addition of a third runway and related infrastructure.

“The Masterplan has been updated to include a Diamond Gate Area in the north-east quadrant of the airfield. This area will provide new cargo aircraft apron area, cargo facilities, freight forwarding, and administrative facilities. One of the keys to this area is the close proximity to the terminal apron, providing operational efficiency for cargo split between dedicated freighters and passenger aircraft, fully utilising the airports route network,” says Brynjar.

“The Masterplan creates the prerequisites for long-term thinking and ensures a responsible approach when making decisions on each step in the development of Keflavik Airport,” says Brynjar. “The development of Keflavik Airport will be implemented in stages, and their scope will depend on the development of the number of passengers and other factors.”

The Masterplan is created on the basis of long-term forecasts for the number of passengers, with the current development plan covering the years until 2045 after the recent update in 2022. “The Masterplan is updated every five years to ensure that the development of the airport reflects the needs of the community and the number of passengers as much as possible, as well as creating a platform for regular consultation with stakeholders,” adds Brynjar.

“The Masterplan is an important document that allows us to keep the airport running efficiently, while also planning for the future,” concludes Brynjar.