A travel trade show with awesome Avgeek stuff, and CEO Greenland & Fleet update: AirlineReporter

Iceland Airlines hosts the Mid-Atlantic Travel Trade Fair in Reykjavik every biennial, allowing travel suppliers from areas served by the airline to come together to connect with travel buyers, travel journalists and one another.

It’s always a great event, and this Avgeek Travel Reporter is always there to find plenty of resources and story ideas.

We also offer the opportunity to see something really cool behind the scenes at Iceland Airlines. The airline recently established a complement to the existing training facility in Hafnarfjörður, which is located between Keflavik and the main city of Reykvavik.

This new building is architecturally quite contemporary and very European. This is a lovely addition.

But we mostly saw the planes there and we were not disappointed. I was allowed to drive their 767-300 full action simulator and did some programming with several pairs of peculiar Iceland airports as well as Kennedy International Airport in New York City. I didn’t do that bad, especially given the 767’s handling is different from the Cessna 172s I once flew home.

Updates to Airbus Transition

We also have to have lunch with the airline’s C-Suites and ask any questions about the airline.

One of the most important developments of Iceland Airlines is the inclusion of Airbus aircraft into its fleet. Traditionally, the decision of Iceland Airlines to increase Airbus aircraft has shown a profound change in strategy, traditionally a full-fledged war airline (they do have six De Havilland de Havilland de Havilland de Havilland dhc-8s), and its decision of its domestic, Greenland and Faroe Islands Services (DHC-8s) represents a profound shift. The airline’s management has been evaluating Airbus’ fuel efficiency, operating range and passenger comfort and is happy with the new jets so far.

Speaking of this, You can read our review of their new A321LR here; This is definitely a great plane.

Iceland Airlines still invests in Boeing, with 21 737, 11 757 and three 767 in its current fleet. They currently have two A321LRs, five more orders, and 13 A321XLRs, and it’s these jets that will eventually replace the 757s.

The airline is weighing its long-term commitment to Boeing to transition to Airbus with a potential full transition. Factors that influence this decision include cost efficiency, aircraft performance and overall fleet consistency. While Boeing has long been the backbone of Iceland’s aviation business, the introduction of Airbus jets has raised issues regarding the potential phase-out of the 737 Max to support a more unified Airbus fleet. But for the time being, Bogarson said the airline is happy with the Max Fleet and remains committed to maximizing the benefits of its current Boeing aircraft while always maintaining future fleet choices.

Greenland Tourism

Asked about the potential to expand its services to Greenland, Bogason offered an alternate attitude as the country has opened a new airport that has the ability to handle large commercial aircraft and larger passenger loads.

Iceland Airlines serves Greenland through its previous Iceland Airlines connection route, and after the two merged, it integrated it into its own timeline in 2021. There are four destinations currently served by the above three DHC-8-200 and three DHC-8-400 aircraft.

Greenland opened its expanded major airport in NUUK in October 2024, which includes a new terminal and a new 7,200-foot runway, as well as SAS and joint announced seasonal services, with Arctic countries expected to significantly increase tourism. Iceland Airlines and Greenland Airlines are currently the only operators providing services throughout the year.

“Greenland is unique. I mean, Iceland is unique, but Greenland is really unique. Currently it is a complex market and what makes it complicated is that it is not enough to build a runway. You have to build a hotel and the necessary infrastructure.”

He compared Greenland’s current infrastructure to Iceland 20 years ago, when the country had many tourists but not enough tourism infrastructure to support them.

“I mean, look, just look at the companies today (Iceland). I mean, think of all the companies that need to provide a good experience for a large number of passengers here. So, that has to be a slow road. I think we might be going into our summer and not swelling into our summer like we do, but rather standing out in our summer. The storm of the traveler.

He added: “We’re going to see how it relaxes, but it’s a big shock to a very, very small market, so I think it’s a tricky market.”

Become a tourist to Iceland

During our visit, we were treated by several traditional tourist sites, including Lava ShowThis is the only place in the world that experiences lava every day for education; relatively new Tianla Lake The spa, as well as a bus tour in the Reykjanes Peninsula, which includes Friðheimar Tomato FarmGeysir, the geyser of the same name, is the only Icelandic language used in English. We also briefly stayed in the ingvellir National Park, another geological wonder and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was a rift valley where North American and European plates were split and new land was slowly being built.

Finally, we are Sümac BBQ + Beverage In the city center of Reykjavik. I’m not usually a person to mention the restaurant, but the place is special, especially with the way they actually customize the weird food allergies I ordered for themselves, even for the sauces that are usually pre-made like this busy record cafe. If you’re in town, stop and show them some Avgeek love.

General Editor/Photography Director – Seattle, Washington Francis Zera is a Seattle-based architectural, aerial, aerial and commercial photographer, a freelance photojournalist and confirmed Avgeek.

https://www.zeraphoto.com