Published on
October 23, 2025
Travel in Iceland has been significantly interrupted today as Air Iceland Connect grounded eight flights across Egilsstaðir Airport and Reykjavik Airport, affecting many passengers in the process. The cancellations involve several crucial routes, including flights between Reykjavik and Egilsstaðir, as well as Reykjavik and Hornafjordur, which are popular destinations for both tourists and locals. With these cancellations, travelers heading to the scenic East Fjords and other parts of the country are facing disruptions to their plans. As a result, passengers are now advised to seek alternative travel arrangements or contact the airline for rebooking options. This disruption highlights the challenges in maintaining seamless connectivity in Iceland’s remote regions, where air travel plays a vital role.
Iceland’s aviation landscape was disrupted today, as Air Iceland Connect, one of the country’s primary regional carriers, grounded multiple flights across two key airports: Reykjavik and Egilsstaðir. The cancellations affected both domestic and regional travel, with eight flights grounded, primarily serving as connections between Reykjavik, the capital city and regional hubs like Egilsstaðir and Hornafjordur. The airports involved, Reykjavik’s Keflavik International (RKV) and Egilsstaðir (EGS), are central to Iceland’s air connectivity, particularly for travelers heading to the remote and scenic east of the country.
At Reykjavik (RKV), five flights were cancelled, impacting flights to and from Egilsstaðir (EGS) and Hornafjordur (HFN). Meanwhile, Egilsstaðir was impacted by three cancellations, primarily affecting flights back to Reykjavik, which serve as crucial routes for business and tourism traffic between Iceland’s capital and its eastern region.
These cancellations reflect not only the logistical challenges faced by the airline but also the inconvenience felt by passengers, particularly during the busy travel seasons when such interruptions can have far-reaching consequences.
The cancellations were attributed to Air Iceland Connect, a domestic airline that operates a substantial portion of Iceland’s regional air travel. Known for connecting Reykjavik with smaller airports across the island, Air Iceland Connect is a key player in the tourism sector, providing essential flights to popular tourist destinations such as Egilsstaðir, as well as other regions like Hornafjordur.
Today, a series of three cancellations occurred at Egilsstaðir, while Reykjavik saw five cancellations, all related to Air Iceland Connect’s “Faxi” (FXI) flights. The affected flights included both morning and evening schedules from Reykjavik to Egilsstaðir and Hornafjordur, marking a disruption for travelers relying on the airline for onward connections.
The cancelled services included:
FXI60 (Reykjavik to Egilsstaðir) – Scheduled departure: 07:40AM GMTFXI61 (Egilsstaðir to Reykjavik) – Scheduled departure: 09:15AM GMTFXI78 (Reykjavik to Hornafjordur) – Scheduled departure: 04:39PM GMTFXI79 (Hornafjordur to Reykjavik) – Scheduled departure: 06:00PM GMTFXI70 (Reykjavik to Egilsstaðir) – Scheduled departure: 06:20PM GMTFXI71 (Egilsstaðir to Reykjavik) – Scheduled departure: 07:55PM GMT
The cancellations most probably stemmed from operational challenges faced by Air Iceland Connect, leading to the grounding of several De Havilland Dash 8 aircraft, which are used for short regional flights within Iceland. These aircraft are essential for Iceland’s air network, providing vital connections to remote regions where road travel may be impractical or time-consuming.
The flight cancellations might have a effect on tourism, particularly in Egilsstaðir and the surrounding areas in eastern Iceland, which have seen significant growth in international tourist arrivals in recent years. As one of the largest towns in Iceland’s east, Egilsstaðir serves as a key gateway to the region’s many scenic landscapes, including the East Fjords, Vatnajökull National Park and remote villages.
For travelers who had planned to explore these unique destinations, the cancellation of flights may lead to delays or forced changes in their itineraries. Since Reykjavik is the main international gateway for tourists arriving in Iceland, the cancellations may also result in flight delays or a backlog of passengers trying to reschedule flights.
With tourism being a major contributor to Iceland’s economy, disruptions like this can have both short-term and long-term effects on local businesses, ranging from hotels to tour operators. The tourism industry in these areas relies heavily on seamless air travel to ensure that visitors can reach their destinations on time. Delays could mean fewer bookings for local hotels and tour activities, potentially reducing income for local businesses in the immediate period following the disruptions.
For passengers whose flights have been cancelled, it is essential to contact Air Iceland Connect for rescheduling or refund options. Air Iceland Connect is offering assistance to affected passengers through its customer service channels, where options to rebook flights or receive refunds are available. Passengers should keep an eye on Air Iceland Connect’s official website and social media channels for updates on flight status and the availability of rescheduled flights.
Additionally, passengers traveling to Egilsstaðir or Hornafjordur may want to consider alternative routes. For example, ground transportation options, such as buses or taxis, could be used as a backup to get to the affected destinations. While not as convenient as air travel, these options can help minimize the disruption to travel plans.
It is also advisable for travelers to stay updated on weather conditions, as Iceland’s weather can sometimes contribute to flight delays or cancellations, particularly during the colder months when conditions are less predictable. Regularly checking weather forecasts and planning for potential delays is always a prudent measure when traveling within Iceland’s dynamic environment.
In conclusion, the recent cancellations at Reykjavik and Egilsstaðir have underscored the challenges of regional air travel in Iceland. While this disruption is temporary, it highlights the importance of efficient communication between airlines, airports and passengers to reduce the impact on travelers and the tourism industry.
