Latest news with #KeflavikAirport
Morocco World
28-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
PLAY Airlines Expands Morocco Routes with New Direct Flights to Agadir
Doha – Icelandic low-cost carrier PLAY has announced direct flights between Keflavik Airport, near Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland, and Agadir, Morocco. The new service will begin December 19, with flights operating weekly on Fridays through mid-April 2026. The flight duration is approximately five and a half hours. This marks PLAY's second Moroccan destination after Marrakech. 'Our objective is to offer Icelanders an exceptional choice of sunny destinations, and Agadir won't disappoint,' said Einar Örn Ólafsson, PLAY's CEO. Agadir boasts a climate similar to Tenerife, with around 300 days of sunshine annually. The route's winter schedule covers major holidays, including Christmas and Easter. Agadir is known for its golden beaches and world-class golf courses. The Atlantic coastal city has undergone extensive redevelopment in recent years. These improvements aim to create a relaxed, pleasant experience for both residents and visitors. The city features modern infrastructure and various leisure activities, including seaside promenades. The addition of Agadir expands PLAY's leisure network to 16 destinations from Iceland. These include eight locations in Spain, four in Portugal, Split in Croatia, and Antalya in Turkey. PLAY first entered the Moroccan market in 2024, with direct flights between Reykjavik and Marrakech launching on October 17. The route operates twice weekly, on Thursdays and Sundays. The Marrakech service resulted from a collaboration between PLAY and the Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT). The partnership aimed to leverage Iceland's position as a transatlantic hub. PLAY connects five major North American airports through Reykjavik: New York, Washington, Baltimore, Boston, and Toronto. ONMT has identified Iceland as a strategic market for Morocco. The agency launched promotional campaigns in Scandinavian countries, including the 'Light Tour' from May 27-30, 2024. The event attracted over 150 key players in Scandinavian tourism. Morocco has seen increased airline interest ahead of co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup. PLAY currently operates with a fleet of 10 Airbus A320neo family aircraft. Read also: Binter Announces Flights Between Agadir, Canary Islands for MAD 524 Tags: AgadirairlinesIceland
ABC News
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Ghost stories and executions in Iceland — when Hannah Kent and Agnes Magnusdottir became entwined
Hannah Kent's arrival in Iceland as a high school exchange student in 2003 was a difficult one. On her first night in the country, she found herself stranded late at night at Keflavik Airport and desperately homesick. But within weeks, Iceland had begun to change young Hannah — its dramatic landscapes, extraordinary light and chilling ghost stories embedded themselves in Hannah's psyche. She became particularly entranced with the haunting story of accused murderer and domestic servant, Agnes Magnusdottir, who became the last person executed in Iceland. Hannah's later novel, Burial Rites, was inspired by Agnes' story and became a best-seller. But there were many unsolvable mysteries that lingered in her mind years after that book was released. Hannah returned to Iceland to find answers, and discovered her life was still entwined with Agnes in strange and eerie ways. Further information This episode of Conversations was recorded live at the 2025 Melbourne Writers Festival. Always Home, Always Homesick is published by Pan Macmillan
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Yahoo
Iceland's 'Earthquake Swarm' and Volcanic Eruptions Forces Evacuation of Tourists and Locals
A 5.2-magnitude 'earthquake swarm' and lava eruptions closed a popular Icelandic tourist destination and evacuated several communities around the country's Reykjanes Peninsula. The initial earthquake was followed by subsequent quakes of 4.9 and 4.6 near Grindavík and Vogar, respectively, according to USGS data. At the time of publication, there are no air travel impacts for Keflavik Airport (KEF), which is on the Reykjanes Peninsula and is less than 30 miles from Grindavik. The popular Blue Lagoon of Iceland in Grindavík is now closed for at least two days due to the emergency. The closure will continue through at least 3:00 pm local time on April 2, but could be extended as the situation is evolving. The Blue Lagoon is also home to The Retreat Spa, which provides treatments among the geothermal springs near the volcano. 'Iceland is no stranger to volcanic activity and experiences an average volcanic event every five years,' Iceland's Civil Protection and Emergency Management shares on its website. 'Icelandic authorities and the public are highly prepared for such events, and Iceland has one of the world's most effective volcanic preparedness measures.' A volcano near the earthquake site was elevated to "orange" level by the government's Meteorological office. The tier represents volcanoes that have exhibited "heightened unrest with increased likelihood of eruption or volcanic eruption is underway with no or minor ash emission." The orange level is one level below red, the highest level. For context, the remaining measured volcanoes are all green, or normal. Icelandic volcanologist Þorvaldur Þórðarson measured the highest recorded level of a magma chamber pressure, as he shared with local newspaper Iceland Monitor. 'I had anticipated a more powerful eruption at the start, but this is how Mother Nature works—she is in control, and it's her show. However, this could change at any moment,' Þórðarson told the publication. This volcano was reportedly dormant for 800 years before awakening in 2023. Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
