"Direct flights are preferred"

Regional impact of international flights from Akureyri

Abstract

Air travel has significant economic, political, and cultural effects on communities. Over the past decades, the centralization of traditional airlines at major hub airports has created various new opportunities for direct flights by other types of airlines. In Iceland, international flights through Keflavik Airport and the business model of Icelandair have resulted in considerable inequality in international travel between regions and spurred calls for more gateways into the country. In this paper, the fortyyear history of international flights at Akureyri Airport is traced in the context of the development of passenger flights in Western countries, and the impact of different airlines is assessed. Results show that such flights have significantly reduced inequality in international travel and improved local quality of life. About one-third of Akureyri residents traveled internationally with Niceair over ten months in 2022–23, and the flights also improved the quality of life for those who did not travel. Niceair also contributed to increased international travel elsewhere in Northeast Iceland and had some impact on the quality of life, but the effects were negligible in Northwest and East Iceland. Niceair flights to Copenhagen and Tenerife demonstrated that the local market in Northeast Iceland can support regular international flights all year round, but foreign tourists are necessary to ensure acceptable load factors on all legs. Finally, the societal impact and future prospects of international flights through Akureyri Airport are assessed.