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Data source: OurAirports (2026-09-01 Snapshot) · Methodology & Verification →

Keflavik International Airport

Compiled by Bill Gao

Reykjavík, Southern Peninsula (Iceland)

IATA: KEF ICAO: BIKF

Longest Active Runway

10,056 ft

3,065 meters

Field Elevation

171 ft

52 m MSL

Runway Inventory

2 active

Lighted / Paved

Coordinates & Class

63.9850°, -22.6056°

LARGE AIRPORT

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Multi-Universe Rankings & Statistical Standing

How ranks work →

RunwayFacts Published Dataset

#535 of 650

In curated primary commercial index

Global Commercial Universe

#873 of 7558

Top 11.5% percentile worldwide

National Standing (Iceland)

#1 of 1 in IS

#1 of 24 in full national registry

vs Large Airport Median

+0.6%

Compared to 10,000 ft baseline

💡 KEF in numbers: 10,056 ft longest runway · #535 of 650 published · #873 of 7,558 worldwide (top 11.5%) · #1 in Iceland.

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Editorial Aerodrome Deep Dive: Keflavik International Airport (KEF)

Curated Aerodrome Profile

Keflavík International Airport is the transatlantic connection fortress of the North Atlantic. Perched on the windswept Reykjanes peninsula at 171 ft MSL, KEF's four runway directions provide complete crosswind resilience against fierce Atlantic low-pressure storms. Both 10,000 ft runways easily handle widebody flights connecting North America and Europe, supported by advanced snow-clearing fleets and volcanic ash monitoring.

Runway Layout & Magnetic Alignments

Dual intersecting runway pairs: 01/19 (10,020 ft / 3,054 m) and 10/28 (10,056 ft / 3,065 m).

Expansion Milestones & Predecessor Facilities

Built during WWII by the United States military as Meeks Field; served as Naval Air Station Keflavik during the Cold War. Expanded through the Leifur Eiríksson Air Terminal to anchor Icelandair's transatlantic hub.

Regional Differentiation & Cluster Role

Primary international gateway for Iceland, located 27 NM southwest of domestic-only capital airport Reykjavík (RKV).

Data Nuances & Operational Quirks

Experiences some of the most violent North Atlantic storm crosswinds in commercial aviation; the perpendicular runway pairs ensure aircraft can land into the wind regardless of gale direction.

📚 Official Aerodrome Sourcing: Iceland National Civil Aviation Authority · State Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) & ICAO Annex 14 Standards

Verification Methodology →

🔬 Operational & Aerodrome Engineering Comparative Analysis

Longest runway 8,000–10,499 ft

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Elevation & National Context

Lowland Aerodrome (<2,000 ft)

KEF lies at 52 m (171 ft), #392 of 650 published airports by elevation and 35.1 percentile among 7,558 worldwide.

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Regional Density & Alternates (100 NM)

0 Qualifying Aerodromes in Vicinity

No published neighbour with a paved runway of 5,000 ft or more within 100 NM of KEF. Nearest published airport: Shannon Airport (SNN), 799 NM, 10,495 ft (439 ft longer than KEF); none other within 250 NM.

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Runway Inventory & National Standing

Primary Runway: 10,056 ft (3,065 m)

KEF runways: 10/28 10,056 × 197 ft asphalt (asp); 01/19 10,020 × 197 ft asphalt (asp). +0.6% vs the 10,000 ft baseline.

🛫 Physical Runway Inventory & Surface Engineering

Runway Designator	Length (ft / m)	Width (ft / m)	Surface Material	Lighting	Status
10/28	10,056 ft (3065 m / 3.065 km)	197 ft (60m)	`Asphalt (ASP)`	✅ Lighted	✅ Active
01/19	10,020 ft (3054 m / 3.054 km)	197 ft (60m)	`Asphalt (ASP)`	✅ Lighted	✅ Active

🛡️ Source: OurAirports Open Aviation Database, snapshot 2026-09-01 · Provenance →