Keflavik Airport: heavy decline in passenger traffic forecast for 2019

Iceland has been the brightest shining star in the tourism heavens in Europe during the past decade as the combination of man-made events and natural appeal conspired to make the country much more accessible and less expensive to visit, but these halcyon days that have prompted tourism to take over from fishing as the major income generator may be coming to an end.

The state airport operator Isavia has forecast a dramatic drop in passengers at the international Keflavik Airport in 2019, both from direct visitors and those just passing through and taking a 'two holidays in one' stopover break, at which the country was a pioneer.

This report looks at the reasons behind this Icelandic boom, what has gone wrong, and at a possible lifeline that could be provided by new routes to Asia.