Icelandair launching nonstop flights on Portland-Keflavik route

Icelandair will be launching seasonal nonstop flights between Portland and Keflavik starting from May 20, 2015. The flights will continue until October 21, 2015. The new service from Portland to mainland Europe would be a cost-effective and convenient hub connecting Europe and North America.

The airline has witnessed a strong growth over the past few years. The airline’s international departures have doubled this year from 2009 growing to 9,000 from 4,500. By the end of 2014 the airline is expecting to handle 2.6 million passengers as compared to 1.3 million in 2009.

Meanwhile, in yet another development the airline will be switching airports in Orlando after nearly a decade. The airline is presently operating flights out of Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) during its winter schedule to central Florida. The airline has however indicated that it will now once again return to Orlando International Airport (MCO).

Sanford is situated at a distance of nearly 25 miles from central Orlando, and is currently serving as a secondary airport in the region. The leisure carrier Allegiant Air operates most flights within the United States out of the Orlando Sanford International Airport. Thomson Airways, a charter operator based in the UK, and Dutch discount carrier ArkeFly operate most international flights from the Sanford airport.

Icelandair said that it will once again start operating its winter schedule from September 2015. The Orlando International Airport is situated nearly 10 miles from central Orlando and is the busiest airport in Orlando region. The airport is also closer to most of the top attractions such as Universal Studios and Walt Disney World.

The airline is currently serving 10 U.S. cities operating either year-round or seasonal service. These cities include Washington Dulles, Seattle-Tacoma, Portland, Newark, New York JFK, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Denver, Boston and Anchorage.