Building an airport in Hvassahraun not ruled out

The group recommends reserving an area above Hvassahraun for three runways and conducting further research.

Svandís Svavarsdóttir, Minister of Infrastructure: "Thorough research on building an airport in Hvassahraun is important for society's future. Airport planning takes time, and we need to develop a new airport area for various aviation needs in the long term. Reykjavík Airport doesn't offer development options. It's crucial to discuss the group's findings and future choices. The research results don't rule out building an airport in Hvassahraun in the long term. It could be considered for helicopter, private, and domestic flights," Svandís said.

The working group was formed based on a 2019 agreement between the state and City to research airport construction in two phases. The first phase is now complete. "It's important to consider next steps according to the agreement. Results give full reason to continue. We should extend weather measurements and flight tests as suggested. I also think it's right to reserve necessary land for the airport area as the group recommends. Separately, the Meteorological Office is preparing a new overall natural hazard assessment for the entire Reykjanes peninsula. This work will be completed in 2026 and will help with decisions about preparing a new airport site," Svandís said.

Three-part research – main findings 

The working group's project for building an airport in Hvassahraun had three parts: researching weather conditions, natural hazards, and effects on domestic flight operations. Main findings:

• Weather conditions 

Weather measurements didn't reveal any conditions that would prevent airport construction in Hvassahraun. Limitations due to wind (or crosswind), visibility, cloud height, or turbulence were not greater in Hvassahraun than generally known in southwest Iceland.

The Meteorological Office conducted standard weather measurements in a 30 m mast and various comparative measurements. Turbulence measurements were made using three different methods: sonic anemometers (MI), lidar (MI, Norconsult), and flight measurements (RU).

• Natural hazards – volcanoes, lava flow, and earthquakes 

Research shows the airport area in Hvassahraun is mostly outside defined volcanic systems, and the likelihood of eruptions in the area is considered negligible.

The area isn't exposed to lava flow from small eruptions, but if an eruption occurs in the nearest Krýsuvík volcanic system, results indicate part of the study area would likely be affected by lava. This likelihood decreases further north in the area. It's unlikely that lava would flow over Reykjanesbraut in this area, but it's not impossible. The chance of lava flow from other likely eruption sites is negligible.

The report states that earthquake effects would be manageable in all structural design. Gas pollution is unlikely to be significant in the study area, but conditions could arise where air quality becomes very unhealthy due to sulfur dioxide levels well above danger limits. Ash fall is likely to cause only short-term effects on the study area in Hvassahraun.

The Meteorological Office conducted a natural hazard risk assessment for eruption sites, fissures, earthquakes, lava flow, ash fall, and gas pollution.

• Effects on flight operations 

The assessment of effects on domestic flights shows that long-term impacts on demand would likely not be significant if moved to Hvassahraun. Long-term effects on training, practice, and private flights are expected to be limited, assuming facilities for such flights are also moved to Hvassahraun. Moving domestic flights to Keflavík, however, is likely to have significant effects on its use.

The engineering firm Mannvit and consultant Jón Karl Ólafsson assessed the impact of relocating flight operations.

Working group recommendations 

The working group makes three main recommendations in its report.

1. Reserve an area above Hvassahraun and plan for two runways up to 3,000 m long and a third 1,500 m runway to increase the usability factor for aircraft with low crosswind tolerance.

2. Develop an investment risk assessment, business plan, financing, phasing, and timing of construction.

3. Conduct further research.

• It's recommended to explore ways for additional flight testing, especially in difficult conditions, and more precise modeling for turbulence in the area.

• It's suggested to move the 30 m weather mast in Rjúpnadalshraun to Hólsbrunahæð for weather measurements to be used in the design phase.

About the working group's work 

The working group was appointed in June 2020 to follow up on the November 2019 agreement between the state and Reykjavík City to collaborate on research into the possibilities of building a new airport in Hvassahraun. The goal was to fully explore the potential of establishing and operating an airport there to serve as an alternate airport, domestic airport, and airport for training, practice, and private flights. The group included:

• Eyjólfur Árni Rafnsson, chair and project manager

• Birgir Örn Ólafsson, Association of Municipalities in Suðurnes

• Kolbrún Jóna Pétursdóttir, Association of Municipalities in Suðurnes

• Ólöf Örvarsdóttir, Reykjavík City

• Haraldur Sigurðsson, Reykjavík City

• Friðfinnur Skaftason, Ministry of Infrastructure.

According to the agreement between the state and Reykjavík City, research for building an airport in Hvassahraun was to be conducted in two phases. Initially, the first phase of research was to be completed by the end of 2024, after which further progress of the project could be evaluated. The estimated cost for the research was up to 200 million ISK. It's now clear that the cost amounted to about 170 million ISK, well within the original budget.

• Report of the working group on research for building an airport in Hvassahraun (September 2024)

• Report of the working group on public transport between the capital area and Keflavík Airport – presented at the same briefing (September 2024)