Keflavik Airport has experienced a rapid increase in traffic in 2016, with passenger growth of almost 35% compared with last year. Björn Óli Hauksson, CEO of Isavia, told Marta Dimitrova about the airport’s efforts in maintaining a high level of services, fulfilling its Master Plan to 2040, and its infrastructure and environmental projects.
Björn Óli Hauksson, CEO of Isavia: “What I personally like most about the award is that the people working on the airport have gotten confirmation that all their hard work giving the best possible service, with a very rapid passenger growth, is recognised.”
This year’s ACI EUROPE Best Airport Award in the ‘Under 5 Million Passengers’ category went to Keflavik Airport, which was recognised for its efforts in maintaining a high level of services in times of rapid growth, its infrastructure and environmental projects, and its focus on the community.
“We are very proud of the award and believe that this is the result of the emphasis we put on an ongoing improvement of services to our passengers and other users of the airport,” enthuses Björn Óli Hauksson, CEO of Isavia.
Keflavik Airport is, indeed, experiencing a rapid increase in traffic, with passenger growth from January to August 2016 of almost 35% year-on-year. “We are looking at planned seat capacity during winter schedule 2016-2017 being increased by 58% compared to the last winter schedule,” Hauksson notes. “If our forecasts come true, the number of passengers in 2016 will have increased by over 260% since 2009. I think we can say we are experiencing quite a growth!”
Master Plan to 2040
Last year, Keflavik Airport presented its Master Plan to 2040 and as Hauksson describes, it is the airport’s “main road map and is very ambitious”. The development happens in three ways. The airport is working on an overhaul of the airfield, where it is resurfacing both main runways, constructing rapid exit taxiways and adding 10 new air bridges. Preparations for further expansion in 2018 are also underway. “We are working on better distributing the traffic, both over the year and between peak hours. We have seasonal incentives for airlines with departures during daily off-peak times,” Hauksson explains.
In order to successfully manage passenger traffic, Keflavik Airport has implemented proven technology to ease the passenger flow. The number of self check-in kiosks is growing fast, as is the use of self-bag drop, automated boarding gates, and automation in security. In 2017, the airport will introduce further automatic border control gates and self-boarding gates. Other facilities such as unlimited free WiFi, touch-free lavatories, water fountains, and visible passenger service agents around the terminal, are also of high importance to the passenger and increase the positive experience in the terminal.
Aiming at maintaining a high level of passenger satisfaction at times of very rapid growth is a key priority. “Our values at Keflavik Airport are service, security and cooperation,” says Hauksson.
With Iceland being one of the greenest countries in the world, it comes as no surprise that Keflavik Airport is accredited at Level 1 Mapping of ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation. Environmental analysis has been conducted showing the key factors with the most environmental impact. The first steps of the action plan focus on waste management, fuel consumption, water and electricity consumption, and air pollution.
In addition, as part of its environmental efforts, Isavia is currently participating in the ‘Green Steps’ project, managed by Iceland’s Ministry for the Environment and Natural Resources. The project focuses on the positive impact on the environment, improving the working environment of employees and reducing operating costs by decreasing consumption of resources. “One of the main goals of ‘Green Steps’ and Isavia’s environmental policy is to promote environmental awareness among employees and customers, and encourage progressive and eco-friendly solutions,” Hauksson comments.
The ACI EUROPE Best Airport Award has had a tremendous impact in marketing the airport for airlines and passengers. “We are determined to uphold the same quality standard. This will be a challenge along with the rapid future development, expansion and traffic growth. We have no specific plans to retain the award, other than to continue to give the best possible service to our customers and develop the airport with a focus on the environment and the community that we are a part of,” Hauksson concludes.
