Flugvöllum

Flugvöllum is the Icelandic term for airfields, the facilities designated for the takeoff, landing and movement of aircraft. A flugvöllur can be a paved international airport, a regional airport, or a smaller grass or gravel airstrip used by general aviation. Facilities typically include a runway, taxiways, aprons, and lighting; some have terminals, control towers, or navigation aids, while many rural airstrips are basic and unstaffed.

In Iceland, flugvöllum are essential for connecting dispersed communities and supporting emergency services, fishing and tourism industries, and search-and-rescue missions. The national network is dominated by Keflavík International Airport and Reykjavík Domestic Airport, operated by Isavia, the state-owned operator for air navigation and airport infrastructure. Regional airports—such as Akureyri, Egilsstaðir, and Ísafjörður—handle domestic passenger traffic and cargo, weather-dependent flights, and pilot training. Numerous smaller airstrips serve general aviation and backcountry operations.

Operations are affected by Icelandic weather and challenging terrain; aviation authorities emphasize safety, weather reporting, and regular maintenance of runways, navigational aids, and rescue services. Flugvöllum thus vary widely in size, equipment, and traffic, but together they form a key component of Iceland's transportation network.