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Icelandair reflects on milestones after eight decades of operation

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Icelandair reflects on milestones after eight decades of operation
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Icelandair, a prominent airline known for its transatlantic flights and services within Iceland and Greenland, marks significant milestones in its extensive history. The company reflects the innovative spirit of the Icelandic nation and has established itself as a key player in international aviation.

The airline's journey began in 1937 with the establishment of Flugfélag Akureyrar, which later moved to Reykjavík and became Flugfélag Íslands. This company eventually adopted the international trade name Icelandair. In parallel, Loftleidir was founded by three young pilots in 1944. The two companies initially focused on domestic routes but expanded internationally soon after.

In 1948, Loftleidir received permission to fly between Iceland and the USA, marking a significant step in its development. "Representatives from the Mayor of New York's office welcomed the crew and the Loftleidir Icelandic directors when the company's first flight arrived in America."

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The first jet acquisition came in 1967 with a Boeing 727-100C, marking another technological advancement for Icelandair. This period saw an expansion into new markets including Greenland and various holiday destinations.

In 1973, a merger was enforced between Loftleidir Icelandic and Icelandair due to economic pressures. This led to operational changes that included charter flights during Islamic pilgrimages to Mecca.

By 1987, Icelandair had restructured its operations significantly. It celebrated half a century since its inception with plans for fleet renewal by purchasing new Boeing jets. A new terminal at Keflavík facilitated changes that increased passenger traffic from both Europe and North America.

Icelandair Group was established as a holding company in October 2005, consolidating ten subsidiaries under one umbrella. The group went public on the Icelandic stock exchange in December 2006.

In recent years, particularly by March 2021, Icelandair integrated operations with Air Iceland Connect to enhance domestic route offerings alongside its international services.

Organizations Included in this History
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