Reykjavík-Keflavík Airport Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Reykjavík-Keflavík Airport
Inside the airport terminal
IATA: KEF ICAO: BIKF
Summary
Airport type	Public
Owner/Operator	Isavia
Serves	Reykjavík
Location	Keflavík
Hub for	Icelandair WOW Air

Reykjavík-Keflavík Airport, often called Keflavik Airport, is the biggest and busiest airport in Iceland. It is the main place for international flights coming into or leaving the country. The airport is about 50 kilometers (31 miles) west of Reykjavík, Iceland's capital city.

Keflavík Airport has three runways. Most international flights to or from Iceland use this airport. The main airlines here are Icelandair and WOW Air. Both airlines use Keflavík as their main base, also known as a hub.

It is important to know that most flights within Iceland (domestic flights) use Reykjavík Airport. This airport is much closer to Reykjavík, only about 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) away. Keflavík Airport is managed by Isavia, a company owned by the Icelandic government.

History of Keflavík Airport
Leifur Eiríksson Terminal Features
Images for kids
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History of Keflavík Airport

Early Days: US Military Base

Before World War II, Iceland did not have much contact with the United States. But Iceland became very important during the war because of its location in Europe. In June 1941, the US and Iceland signed an agreement. This allowed the Americans to build military bases on land given by Iceland.

Building the airport started on July 2, 1942. US troops began using it on March 24, 1943, and called it Meeks Field. After the war, the US wanted to keep their bases. However, the Icelandic government said no. Keflavík Airport was given back to Iceland. The American military then handed over their buildings to a US company to manage.

Cold War and Beyond

In 1949, Iceland joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). This meant they were allies with the Americans during the Cold War. In 1951, a new agreement was signed, and the American military returned to Iceland. During the Cold War, the bases in Iceland were used to watch over the North Atlantic.

In the 1990s, the Cold War ended. The US then reduced its activities in Iceland. In 2006, the US military base at Keflavík finally closed down.

Growth of Civilian Flights

In the 1950s, two airlines flew to Iceland. Loftleidir Icelandic flew between Luxembourg and New York, stopping in Iceland. The other airline, Flugfelag Islands, flew to Europe from Reykjavík. After the invention of jet aircraft, both airlines moved their flights to Keflavík.

Later, these two companies joined together to form "Icelandair." In April 1987, the airport opened a new building called the "Leifur Eiríksson International Air Terminal." This terminal was made bigger and updated in 2001. When the US military left in 2006, the government-owned company ISAVIA took over. This company now runs all airports and navigation systems in Iceland.

Leifur Eiríksson Terminal Features

The Leifur Eiríksson Air Terminal at Keflavík Airport is highly rated. An article in USA Today once said it was the second-best airport terminal in the world. Frommers.com described it as looking like it came from IKEA, meaning it's well-designed and easy to use.

The airport offers amazing views of Iceland's beautiful and rugged landscape. The terminal is always brightly lit, very clean, and simple for travelers to find their way around. It is open 24 hours a day. You can find tax-free and duty-free shops for both people arriving and those leaving.