Keflavik Airport - A little history

Inaugurated on March 24, 1943, “Keflavik Airport” was constructed by American forces during World War II for military purposes. The airport, one of the largest in the world at the time, played a major role in Allied transatlantic aviation and convoy protection during the war. As the world recuperated, the airport gained an important function as a refuelling stop for the piston-engine aircraft of yesteryear that effectively developed the commercial North Atlantic route between Europe and North America. In those days it was quite common that an aircraft flying from continental Europe had to make several stops: in Shannon, Ireland; then Keflavik and perhaps Narsarsuaq or Sondrestrom, Greenland; then Frobisher Bay, Goose Bay or Gander, in Canada; and finally New York. The advent of commercial jetliners in the 1960s dramatically increased the range of commercial aircraft. Keflavik Airport became less important as a refuelling stop for international carriers, but retained its importance as an alternate field on this busy route.

Another item to always take with you when traveling overseas, a ball point pen for filling out forms during the flight.