Denver is to be added to Icelandair’s network as part of a 13% rise in flight capacity in 2012.
Two additional Boeing 757s are being introduced to bring the fleet of the twinjets up to 16 as the airline looks to increase annual carryings from an expected 1.8 million this year to two million.
Fokker 50 aircraft are being leased from Icelandair’s sister company, Air Iceland, to operate summer flights to Akureyri in north Iceland from Keflavik. The internal flights will run up to four times a week from June 7 to September 30 with passengers able to book and check bags through from Heathrow, Manchester and Glasgow.
In addition to four weekly flights to Denver, Icelandair will increase flights to Washington, DC and Seattle and add more capacity from Manchester and Glasgow. In total, Icelandair will fly to 31 destinations next year.
UK and Ireland general manager Hjörvar Sæberg Högnason said: “With our new destination of Denver and increased capacity from both Manchester and Glasgow, we are giving our UK passengers more options and flexibility.
“We provide an exciting way to travel to many of the top destinations in North America with some of the best elapsed travel times in the industry. Plus our passengers can take advantage of an Iceland stopover which is truly unique.”
Chief executive Birkir Holm Gudnasson said: “It’s exciting to add Akureyri as a new destination in our network and into the hub and spoke system which goes through Keflavik airport.
“With its addition, we are opening up a new way for travellers from the UK and other European and North American cities in our network to travel to Akureyri. It will also add the destination to flight booking systems throughout the world and make it easier for travellers to experience the natural beauty of the northern part of the country.
“We hope that this will also be a boost to the tourist sector in the north which is known for its excellent whale watching and outdoor adventure opportunities.”