Icelandair has reported a significant increase in passenger numbers for January 2026, transporting 300,000 passengers, a 14% rise from the same month last year. This growth is attributed to strategic focus on routes to and from Iceland, with passenger numbers increasing by 16% and 27% respectively. The airline's on-time performance also improved, reaching 82.6%, a 5 percentage point increase from the previous year.
The airline's load factor, a measure of how full flights are, reached a record 77.6% in January. Bogi Nils Bogason, Icelandair's President and CEO, highlighted the company's focus on expanding during the winter season and targeting lucrative markets. "We have seen a very strong start to February, including our strongest sales days on record in the from-Iceland market," he stated, emphasising the positive market response to their off-peak growth strategy.
Despite the increase in passenger traffic, Icelandair's freight operations saw a 3% decrease in Freight Tonne Kilometres. However, the airline achieved a 5% reduction in CO2 emissions per Operational Tonne Kilometre, thanks to more efficient aircraft. This aligns with Icelandair's commitment to sustainability and operational efficiency.
Looking ahead, Icelandair aims to continue its growth trajectory by focusing on reducing seasonality in its operations and enhancing its market presence in key routes. The airline's strategic initiatives are expected to further bolster its performance in the coming months
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