New buildings, taxiways, baggage claims, and other improvements will make Keflavik Airport an even better place to visit in the coming years.

The Projects

Car rental area kef improved.webp

Further construction work is underway in the airport's arrivals hall following a tender for the operation of car rental services at KEF.

mproved facilities for car rentals

Construction has already begun and will continue until spring 2026. The changes concern the car rental facilities located in the northeast corner of the arrivals hall, while temporary facilities for car rental services have been built using container units.Following a tender that ended in December 2025, significant changes will be made to the car rental facilities at KEF. The number of operators will increase from three to four, after three operators have had facilities at the airport for the past twenty years. The design of the area follows the policy of new improvements to the so-called customs corridor, with the aim of improving service and experience for both guests and staff.

Car rental area kef improved 2.webp

Construction may cause temporary disruption to airport guests and car rental staff operating in the arrivals hall. This is an area of ​​the airport that has remained largely unchanged for decades, making this a timely upgrade to the airport’s infrastructure.You can read more about the changes to the <a href="/kefplus/projects/better-arrival-area" target="_self">customs corridor here</a>.

New and improved car rental area

Betra komusvæði kef  better arrivals.webp

Betra komusvæði KEF improved arrivals area.webp

Significant construction work is underway in the airport's arrivals area, which will continue until the spring of 2026. This is one of the oldest areas of the airport and has remained largely unchanged for decades.

Improved arrivals area

The changes are made with the passenger experience in mind and will result in improved flow and increased comfort for passengers while also responding to the needs of our growing airport operations.The arrivals lobby will be expanded, while facilities for car rental and bus companies will be relocated, which will be combined in a redesigned area after the changes.The changes will also significantly expand the convenience store in the arrivals area, and new operators will begin operations in late fall 2025. While the store is being rebuilt, a so-called "pop-up" stand will sell refreshments.

Larger lobby and dedicated service area

Betra komusvæði kef tollagangur.webp

Timabundin landamaeri.webp

A temporary annex that will house an arrivals border for passengers traveling to Iceland from outside the Schengen Area opened in the summer of 2023.

Arrivals border for passengers traveling to Iceland

This border expedites and improves the processing of passengers entering the region in accordance with new European regulations.The new space considerably improves the flow in the terminal by attempting to prevent long queues at border control, with shorter waiting times and increased efficiency.The building is designed to be used temporarily until a new, permanent facility opens in the coming years. All material used is designed to be reused in accordance with the KEF+ and Isavia’s sustainability goals.The building is one story high and is located on the east side of the South Building. It was opened when the new European regulation came into effect.

<ul><li>Centralized system 
A new methodology is employed to keep track of arrivals, departures, and the length of stay of non-Schengen residents.</li><li>No need for a passport 
The new border control eliminates the need to stamp passports. Registration instead requires photos and fingerprints in order to improve border control.</li><li>Focus on reuseable material 
Since the airport is in constant development, the need for a specialised border building is only temporary. Sustainability is a guiding light in construction and will therefore be reused when the border control moves elsewhere.</li><li>Opening 2023 
The building opened in May 2023, once the new European regulation for the external Schengen border came into effect.</li></ul>

What are our goals?

The European Union has brought into effect a new method for registering passengers’ journeys to and from Iceland. Additionally, this method keeps track of information regarding the refusal of entry of citizens from outside of the Schengen Area and determines criteria for processing through the entry/exit system from a law-enforcement perspective.This centralized system keeps track of arrivals, departures, and the length of stay of non-Schengen residents. The new border control eliminates the need to stamp passports. Registration instead requires photos and fingerprints in order to increase quality and improve border control.

A centralised system speeds things up

<ul><li>Surface area 1,700m2 
The surface area of the one-story building would comfortably fit 6 full-size tennis courts.</li><li>Length 46m 
The building is 46m long, which is similar to the length of Keflavík's Sports Hall.</li><li>Width 38m 
The expansion measure 38m wide, which is several meters more than the length of the Sports Hall in Sandgerði.</li><li>Height 10m 
The height is 10m. The old lighthouse on Garðskagatá, by comparison, is over 12m.</li></ul>

Temporary annex in numbers

A temporary annex

MIKE akbraut.webp

Opened in the summer of 2023 and has been named Mike.

Keflavik Airport’s newest taxiway

Keflavik Airport’s newest taxiway opened in 2023 and has been named Mike. Mike connects the apron and the runway. The purpose of Mike is to speed up the runway system security with improved arrival and departure flow. Aircraft enter and exit runways faster than before, increasing the runway system’s performance capacity and expediting ground handling of aircraft.This reduces the need for a new runway, while also improving the passenger experience by allowing them to board sooner.

MIKE akbraut 1.webp

<ul><li>Shorter distances 
Mike reduces time between landings as well as aircraft taxiing distance.</li><li>How big is Mike? 
The taxiway is 1,200m long and 35m wide.</li><li>Enhanced security 
Mike contributes to improved runway system security by improving flow.</li><li>Completion summer of 2023 
Most of the construction was completed in 2022, with some parts remaining until summer of 2023.</li></ul>

Pictures of Mike under construction

MIKE akbraut 2.webp

<ul><li>Length 1,200m 
Mike is 1,200m long. For perspective, the bridge over Skeiðará River - the longest bridge in Iceland - is only 880m long.</li><li>Width 35m 
Mike is 35m wide, similar to the total width of the Reykjanes Highway road bed at its widest point.</li><li>Asphalt 
The amount of asphalt used in the construction of Mike could pave 35 football fields.</li><li>2023 
Mike opened in the summer of 2023, and around 85% of construction took place in the summer of 2022.</li></ul>

Mike in numbers

Mike taxiway

Austuralma KEF.webp

The expansion improves luggage reception facilities in the new arrivals hall, adds four new gangways, two bus gates, and a larger dining area and duty-free shop.

The new East Wing will expand the terminal by 30%

The East Wing project involves expanding the terminal by nearly 30% and is a key factor in the future development of the airport. Construction began early in the summer of 2021 and the building will open in two phases. In mid-2023 a new luggage sorting system opened in the basement of the building, as well as a new arrivals hall with baggage claim for passengers. A new dining area opened in 2024 along with an expanded duty-free shop at arrival and new gangways and gates. In 2025 four new gangways and two bus gates will be added to the East Wing, improving the ground handling of aircraft and enhancing the passenger experience. However, the total number of gangways in operation will not directly increase until the new connecting building is finished.During construction, 4-5 of the current gangways will be closed. The new gangways and bus gates in the East Wing will therefore make it possible to maintain our level of service while construction on the connecting building is in progress. The next phase of the airport development project - construction of the connecting building - is currently underway.

<ul><li>New luggage sorting system 
A new luggage sorting system increases efficiency and expedites delivery of luggage to passengers.</li><li>New arrivals hall and more spaces 
Better and more spacious facilities for passengers include a larger arrivals hall, an expansive dining area, and more.</li><li>Bigger and better dining area 
With a more spacious and better dining area, everyone can find something to their liking.</li><li>Four new gangways 
Four new gangways allow passengers to board the aircraft directly from the gate and two new bus gates transport passengers to covered remote stands.</li></ul>

Image gallery

Austuralma kef gallery 1.webp

Austuralma kef gallery 2.webp

Austuralma kef gallery 3.webp

<ul><li>Surface area 25,000m2 
The East Wing will be approximately 25,000m2. By comparison, the Laugardalshöll sports and exhibition venue is 17,000m2.</li><li>Length 124,5 m 
The East Wing will be 124.5m long, about as long as Bankastræti Street in Reykjavík.</li><li>Width 66m 
The East Wing will be 66m wide, similar to a typical football field.</li><li>Height 31m 
The East Wing will be 31m high. By comparison, the spires of Akureyri Church are 26m.</li></ul>

East Wing in numbers

New East Wing

Hjarta KEF.webp

The building is set to be the heart of Keflavik Airport. All passengers will pass through it; arriving, departing, as well as transiting passengers.

A new building connecting the North and South Buildings

The connecting building is part of the second major phase of the Keflavik Airport development project. Not only will the connecting building join the original terminal with the South Building, but it will also vastly improve service for passengers with connections via Keflavik Airport. Together with the East Wing, which is currently under construction, this new building will expand the terminal by 70%.

<ul><li>Connects spaces 
The new connecting building, called the heart of Keflavik Airport, will connect the northern and southern parts of the terminal.</li><li>Necessary for further expansion 
The new connecting building will make it possible to expand the airport in the future.</li><li>A little bit of everything 
The heart of the airport will feature a new dining area, entry border, three waiting areas, and a bus gate.</li><li>One of two big projects 
The new connecting building is one of two major projects of the next few years.</li></ul>

A bright new central space will make for a better connection between the wings of the terminal. The passageway will be widened, and facilities for arriving passengers improved with better passport control, a new duty-free shop, and increased service areas. The gate at the passageway will also be updated with a larger waiting area.The connecting building’s intended purpose earns it the name Heart of Keflavik Airport. Design work is currently underway, and construction is anticipated to begin in 2024.

<ul><li>Surface area 27,000m2 
The connecting building will be almost 27,000m2, similar to the music hall Harpa at Reykjavíkurhöfn.</li><li>Base area 9,432m2 
The base area of the connecting building will be 9,432 square meters, which is slightly smaller than Egilshöll soccer hall.</li><li>Width 127m 
The connecting building is 127m at it's widest, equivalent to Harpa Concert Hall, corner to corner.</li><li>Length 134m 
The full length of the building is 134m long, the same distance from the terminal of Keflavík Airport to the long-term parking lots.</li></ul>

The Heart of Keflavik Airport in numbers

The heart of Keflavik Airport

Hreingtenging.webp

To meet increased traffic at Keflavík Airport and to improve road safety, a change in routes to the airport for drivers is being developed.

Improved Access to Keflavík Airport

This will be done by creating a roundabout at the intersection of Reykjanesbraut and Arnarvellir, and after exiting it, there will be one-way traffic in front of the airport.In continuation of the road that already exists in front of the airport, a road patch will be added from where the road ends today and all the way to Reykjanesbraut, creating a roundabout. This change will reduce traffic closest to the airport and prevent vehicles from crossing lanes. All service traffic, such as traffic due to construction and transportation of supplies, will then take another route to the airport. This will greatly improve safety and access to the airport.

Hreingtenging fyrir.webp

Hreingtenging eftir.webp

Circular Junction

Rutur og leigubilar KEF.webp

As passenger numbers at KEF Airport continue to rise, traffic through the forecourt is increasing.

Better access for buses and taxi

To accommodate this growth, the airport is expanding and improving the forecourt area, creating more space and better access for buses and taxis, the key modes of transport for many tourists.

Buses at KEF Airport are divided into two categories: those operating on fixed schedules between the airport and the capital area, and all other buses. These two categories pick up passengers at separate locations.Scheduled airport buses, which run at all hours, stop at internal bus stops located close to the terminal. Meanwhile, all other buses—including tour buses and pre-scheduled vehicles—stop at external bus stops situated farther from the terminal. This second category tends to be much busier.As part of ongoing improvements, the external bus stops will be relocated, increasing both the number of stops and the space available for passengers. Once the move is complete, the external stops will be approximately 300 meters from the airport’s arrivals hall, with covered walkways connecting them to the terminal. These upgrades will improve efficiency, expand capacity, and enhance passenger comfort by providing a larger and more organized bus area. The project is expected to be fully completed by 2026.Construction of new bus stops for scheduled services is already well underway, with four stops planned in total. The first stops are already in use, and the entire project is expected to be completed in the first half of 2025.

Bus Facilities

The number of taxi parking spaces at the airport will increase from 24 to 30. Additionally, more waiting spaces will be added—these are designated parking spots for taxis to use until a space near the terminal becomes available.With the increase in parking spaces, the taxi area will shift slightly eastward from its current location. This relocation is necessary due to terminal expansion, as the construction of the East Wing will temporarily affect the layout, access, and parking near the terminal. However, this expansion will ultimately provide more space for taxis.The project is expected to be completed in 2025.

Taxi Facilities

Rutur og leigubilar KEF fyrir.webp

Rutur og leigubilar KEF eftir.webp

Facilities for bus and taxi

staekkun sudur KEF.webp

The South Building is currently located to the south of the original terminal, now typically referred to as the North Building

A spacious South Building makes the journey more enjoyable

The building opened in 2001 and was expanded just over a decade later to accommodate the increasing number of passengers traveling through the airport. Constructions for further expansion of the South Building are scheduled to begin in 2023 and are expected to be complete in 2024, adding 1,900m2 to the building. The changes will include vastly improved passenger facilities, for example, a larger waiting area and new departure gates as well as an expanded dining and shopping area.

<ul><li>Better facilities for passengers 
Expansion of the South Building includes improving passenger facilities at the departure gates at the east end of the building.</li><li>Larger waiting area 
The waiting area for departing passengers will be expanded making the waiting time even more comfortable.</li><li>Exciting shops and restaurants 
Expansion of the South Building includes increasing the variety of shops and restaurants for passengers</li><li>Estimated completion 
The expanded South Building formally opened at Keflavík Airport in 2018. The next expansion is scheduled to begin in 2023 and completion is set for 2024.</li></ul>

By the mid 90s, the terminal’s capacity had reached its limit and it had become clear further expansion was needed. This increased need for expansion was largely due to Iceland’s full membership of the Schengen Agreement, which required full separation of passengers inside and outside of the Schengen Area. The new South Building, located to the south of the old terminal, which is now colloquially known as the North Building, was brought into use in 2001.Just over a decade later, however, it became clear that the South Building needed to expand. This expansion has proven itself to be a necessary part of the Keflavík Airport development project after the number of passengers increased dramatically from 2010 onward, particularly those flying to and from North America and the UK and Ireland.Now the time has come to expand the South Building yet again, with a 1900m2, two-story annex offering vastly improved services for passengers.

Improved services by expanding the annex

<ul><li>Surface area 1,900m2 
The South Building will be expanded by a total of 1,900 m2, equivalent to the Hamraborg Library and Cultural Centre in Kópavogur.</li><li>Length 30m 
The annex will be 30m long, the same length as the cathedral in Skálholt.</li><li>Width 26m 
The South Building expansion will measure 26m wide. A basketball court, by comparison, is 28m long.</li><li>Height 14m 
The full height is 14m, similar to that of a four-storey apartment building.</li></ul>

South building in numbers

South Building expansion

bike pit kef airport.webp

Interest in the use of eco-friendly transportation has increased in the past years. At the same time interest in Iceland as a cycling destination is becoming more popular.

Eco-friendly transportation

At the same time interest in Iceland as a cycling destination is becoming more popular. The development of the Keflavík Airport forcourt area is taking this into account and is aimed at improving facilities for eco-friendly transportation, including cycling.There is already a walking and cycling path connecting the airport to Reykjanesbær, and a number of employees commute to work by bike every day. After the construction, there will also be improved facilities for travelers to disassemble and assemble bicycles, storage cabinets for bicycle bags and bicycle parking for employees. Charging stations for employees' electric bicycles will also be offered.

bike pit kef airport new.webp

The facility will be located at the arrivals area of ​​the short-term parking lot at P2. The facility will be well connected to the existing pedestrian and bicycle path and is intended to benefit both staff and tourists.

bike pit samgongur fyrir.webp

bike pit samgongur eftir.webp

Improved facilities for bikes

yfirbyggdar gonguleidir kef.webp

Walking paths run along the airport's forecourt area, from the terminal building to various service areas, including car rental areas, parking lots and bus stops.

Walking paths along the airport's forecourt area

Since Iceland is prone to all kinds of weather, construction plans in the forecourt include plans to cover all the main paths, thus providing passengers with shelter from water, wind and snow.The construction of the pedestrian walkways has been divided into two phases, with foundation work already underway. The first phase involves the development of walkways leading to the internal bus stops and parking areas located in the arrivals zone, specifically the short-term parking lot at P2. The second phase will focus on the construction of walkways connecting to the long-term parking areas at P3 and the external bus stop.

yfirbyggdar gonguleidir kef 3.webp

<ul><li>Increased safety and comfort 
Increases pedestrian safety in the forecourt</li><li>Two phases 
Construction will be in two phases</li><li>Covered 
The covered walking paths will ensure that pedestrians will be covered</li><li>550 meters 
550 meters of covered walking paths.</li></ul>

yfirbyggdar gonguleidir kef fyrir.webp

yfirbyggdar gonguleidir kef eftir.webp

Covered walking paths

Nytt hotel KEF.webp

Isavia is currently seeking partners for the construction and operation of a new airport hotel.

Looking for partners

A needs assessment has confirmed strong market demand for a 4-star hotel in the airport’s forecourt. As the operator and manager of KEF Airport, Isavia is now looking for potential partners to bring this project to life.Over the past decade, KEF Airport has experienced significant growth, driven by Iceland's rising popularity as a tourist destination and its expanding role as a key transfer hub for passengers traveling between Europe and North America.This growth presents a strong opportunity for a high-quality hotel investment that caters to both transfer passengers and the increasing number of tourists. Additionally, there is an ambition to establish direct flights from KEF to Asia in the coming years. However, the supply of available hotel rooms in the airport area has not kept pace with demand.

Meeting Market Needs

Nytt hotel KEF data.webp

<ul><li>The goal is to develop a new 4-star on-airport hotel that ensures high service quality for passengers. There is also potential to co-locate two separate hotel brands, offering both a 3-star and a 4-star experience, if deemed feasible.</li><li>The hotel site spans 13,000 square meters, with a total usable building area of 20,000 square meters across four floors. Additionally, permission has been granted to construct a basement beneath the entire building footprint.</li><li>A demand has also been identified for hotel facilities such as F&B, meeting rooms and a fitness center.</li></ul>KEF Airport is open to discussions with the right partners regarding various business models for developing and operating the hotel.The designated plot is currently occupied by a surface parking lot, approximately 200 meters from the existing passenger terminal. The hotel will be located in front of the future passenger terminal, within a short walking distance or potential indoor connections.

The Hotel

Isavia is seeking experienced hotel developers to participate in a tender for the construction of a new airport hotel at KEF airport.The airport’s strategic location—between Europe and North America—and its distance from Iceland's capital, Reykjavik, make this a highly attractive opportunity. The rapid increase in passenger volumes has presented an amplified demand for hotels in the airport area.

Highly Attractive Opportunity

Nytt hotel KEF airport.webp

The new hotel is part of an ongoing landside redevelopment program that will bring significant improvements to KEF in the coming years, with a strong focus on improving the passenger experience and service.The development of Keflavík Airport follows a dedicated master plan, which is in effect until 2045. In parallel with this Master Plan, a specialized development plan for the landside area was approved by Isavia's board in the fall of 2022. This plan prioritizes enhancing the passenger experience while also optimizing the company’s revenue potential. It considers various aspects, including the development of a landside hotel, as well as improvements to transportation, shopping, and other services.