KEF Airport (Keflavik International Airport) – Cargo, Address, Transit

About This Airport

No railways, one runway system that matters, and an island economy at the end of the supply chain: in Iceland, virtually every urgent shipment passes through Keflavik Airport (IATA: KEF, ICAO: BIKF). The country's only intercontinental gateway sits on the Reykjanes peninsula, some 45 kilometres south-west of Reykjavik, connected to the capital region solely by road via Route 41. Its defining cargo flow runs outbound: fresh cod, salmon and halibut, flown by Icelandair Cargo's own Boeing 767 freighters to Europe and North America – the export of fresh seafood is the cornerstone of Icelandic air freight. On 28 March 2026 the airport briefly declared an operational emergency after a wave of sudden cancellations hit more than 8,000 passengers across over a dozen carriers, a reminder to build in schedule buffer for KEF-routed shipments. On the growth side, Alaska Airlines added Seattle service in May 2026 and Air Transat began flying from Montreal in June 2026, both widening belly-cargo capacity on North Atlantic lanes. The airport began life as a US military base in the Second World War, and the Naval Air Station Keflavik operated until 2006, a legacy that left generous runways. Today state-owned Isavia runs the site, while home carrier Icelandair uses it as a transatlantic hub with wave operations between the continents, handling around 7 to 8 million passengers a year. Inbound, the island depends on airfreight for express goods, pharmaceuticals and e-commerce, while bulk cargo arrives by container ship through the ports of Reykjavik and Grundartangi. For forwarders, KEF is Iceland's single air gateway – with the fish season setting the rhythm for available capacity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the IATA code of Keflavik International Airport?▼

The IATA code of Keflavik International Airport is KEF. This three-letter code is used for unique airport identification in international air transport.

Where is Keflavik International Airport located?▼

Keflavik International Airport is located in Reykjavík, IS.

What is the ICAO code of Keflavik International Airport?▼

The ICAO code of Keflavik International Airport is BIKF. This four-letter code is used internationally in aviation.

What is the elevation of Keflavik International Airport?▼

Keflavik International Airport is at an elevation of 52 meters (171 ft) above sea level.

Keflavik International AirportKEF · BIKF

About This Airport

Air Freight & Cargo

Airlines & Network

Frequently Asked Questions

Community Questions & Answers