Icelandair, the full-service flag carrier of Iceland, has announced an increase in both passengers and on-time performance in September 2024. The announcement comes as the carrier prepares to accept its first Airbus A321 aircraft before the end of 2024.
For September 2024, the carrier carried around 458,000 passengers during the month, a figure that represents a 10% increase compared to September 2023. Of this number, 31% were point-to-point passengers traveling to Iceland, 16% were traveling from Iceland, while 48% traveled via Iceland to onward destinations (connecting passengers), and 5% were domestic passengers flying within Iceland.
The airline’s overall network load factor was 83%, and the carrier’s on-time performance was 86.6%. This figure represents an impressive increase of 5.6% year-over-year, as well as the highest since 2009. Year-to-date, Icelandair has transported 3.6 million passengers, 8% more than the same stage in 2023.
“It is pleasant to see the continued increase in the number of passengers and outstanding on-time performance in September,” said Bogi Nils Bogason, President and CEO of Icelandair. “Icelandair continuously ranked among the most punctual larger airlines in Europe this summer, which is the result of the hard work and dedication of the Icelandair team and a strong focus on operational efficiencies.
We continue to expand our extensive route network with exciting new destinations and strategic partnerships.”
“In summer 2025, we will introduce Nashville, Tennessee as a new destination, and later this month, we begin services to Lisbon, Portugal. In September, we announced our upcoming partnership with Southwest Airlines, becoming their first airline partner. The importance of strong partners cannot be underestimated for our business as around 10% of total revenues are derived from partnerships and as high as 40% of revenues on individual routes. We are excited to further expand our global partnership network and offer our customers an even wider range of destinations,” Bogason concluded.
Icelandair operates a current fleet of 45 aircraft which comprises 17 Boeing 737 MAX 8, four 737 MAX 9, 11 757-200s, a pair of 757-300s, and three 767-300s. The carrier also has a single 757-200F at its disposal alongside a 767-300F.
The carrier is expecting delivery of its first Airbus A321LR by the end of 2024, of which it has seven on order. It also has 13 Airbus A321XLRs on order. The carrier serves 65 routes to 63 destinations across 21 countries.
