Keflavik Airmail

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HVÍTAHÚSIÐ/SÍA
CHRISTMAS
TRADITIONS
IN ICELAND
THE BOYS
ARE BACK
IN TOWNMeetIceland’sXmasclan
andtheverybigXmascat
FEAST ON
THE FESTIVITIES
OF ICELAND
EnjoyanIcelandicChristmasdinner
GIFTS FROM
THE NORTH
PickupbargainsforXmas
BRIGHT LIGHTS
AND COLD NIGHTS
SpendawonderfulChristmas
inReykjavík
REYKJAVÍK
SKYLINE FIRES UP
JointheNewYearCelebrations
NORTHERN
LIGHTS GALORE
TheAurorapeaksendof2012
BEST AIRPORT
IN EUROPE 2011
KEFtopstheannual
ACIsurvey,again

6 Events to do and see
Seasons Greeting
from KEF
GUDNY JOHANNSDOTTIR
Business Development Manager
We’re extremely pleased to announce
that 2012 has been a successful and
record-breaking year at Keflavik
International Airport.
During the summer months of 2012,
KEF saw a record-breaking increase in
passenger traffic, which is still current-
ly on the rise as the New Year begins.
In total, KEF saw a 9 percent increase
in passenger traffic during its busiest
months in 2012 than those of 2011.
This trend continued to increase in Sep-
tember, and we predict a 19.8 percent
increase in passenger traffic by the end
of 2012 – with a total of 2.4 million
passengers predicted during the whole
of 2012.
With this in mind, Isavia has comple-
mented this passenger increase by
upgrading the Leifur Eiríksson Air Ter-
minal. Amongst the upgrades include
its terminal waiting areas and access,
and its automatic check-in service.
Isavia continues to maximise efficiency
of its facilities with new pre-boarding
lounges and relocating various support
functions.
In addition to this, I, on behalf of Isavia,
took part in the World Route Develop-
ment Strategy Summit in Abu Dhabi,
United Arab Emirates, between 30th
September and 1st October; one of the
most important industry events for
aviation, tourism, and the route devel-
opment community.
My colleagues and I attended the
airport conference in order to discuss
possible new airline routes for the air-
port, as well as to promote new business
incentives at KEF. Isavia is looking to
expand the airport’s network with new
routes and customers who contribute to
passenger growth. In order to achieve
this, the company offers customers in-
centives including discounts on landing
and passenger charges for new routes.
An airline that initiates a new route,
which is not presently connected by
regular flights from Keflavík Inter-
national Airport, will benefit from
discounts on the Landing Charge and
Passenger Charge. The proposed route
is one that will increase the network
coverage and passenger traffic volumes
and is one that has a commercial benefit
to KEF.
Isavia offers a passenger increase
bonus to reward airlines contributing
to passenger growth for KEF. The bonus
is 800 ISK per departing international
passenger during IATA Summer Season
(excluding June, July, August) and 1600
ISK during the IATA Winter Season,
based on the number of passengers
for which passenger charge is payable.
The company being invoiced passenger
charges for the flight (aircraft owner,
subsidiary aircraft operator) is the
beneficiary for receiving
the bonus.
Furthermore, Keflavík
International Airport
was voted as the
best small airport
in Europe for the
2011 season
by the
Airports
Council
International;
the airport was
awarded for the category of best airport
for 2 million passengers or less, how-
ever, KEF actually came out on top in
terms of service, but since it was placed
in the smaller airports category, was not
able to come out on top overall.
As part of the survey, participants an-
swered a number of questions about the
quality of more than 36 service factors,
such as its helpfulness and courtesy of
staff, ease of flight connections, cleanli-
ness, check-in times, and for the overall
customer satisfaction.
On behalf of myself, and everyone at
KEF, Happy Holidays! We look forward
to seeing you in 2013.
Lighting of the Reykjavík Xmas Tree
– On 2nd December, take part in a time-
honoured tradition with the lighting
of the Christmas tree at Austurvöllur
Square in Reykjavik city centre. Fun for
the kids, expect carol singing featuring
an appearance by the cheeky Yule Lads.
Witness the fireworks at Hallgrim-
skirkja – Here, you’ll get to see the
night turn to day with thousands of
fireworks blasting off all around - it is
certainly the most impressive display of
fireworks you will ever see.
New Year Bonfire at Ægissíða in
Reykjavík – Another New Year’s Eve
tradition, this time in Reykjavík’s Ves-
turbæjar. Previously visited by Quentin
Tarantino, this annual bonfire draws
large crowds of people, whereby stories
are shared and drinks are had.
Christmas Village in Hafnarfjörður
– Just a short distance from Reykjavík,
Hafnarfjörður is a quaint town home to
the popular Christmas Village. Every
weekend in December until Christmas,
the Christmas Village will be open of-
fering a wide selection of gifts, Christ-
mas decorations and delicious foods.
Go Downtown on the 23rd – On the
evening of 23rd December, locals flock
to Downtown Reykjavík whereby they
begin to celebrate the festivities, meet
up with friends, and pick up any last
minute goodies, as most stores stay
open until late.
Harpa’s Icelandic Christmas Concert
– Get all jolly with the Icelandic Christ-
mas Concert in Harpa on 1st December.
This concert is set to feature popular
Icelandic Christmas songs by Iceland´s

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Santa Claus, Chris Cringle, Father
Christmas are all synonymous with
spreading joy and good will to all
around this time of year - but not in
Iceland; the country’s very own ver-
sion of St. Nick couldn’t be far from
it, and when we say Iceland’s own
version, we mean thirteen of them!
According to Icelandic folklore, Ice-
land’s Yule Lads are thirteen cheeky
pranksters who start appearing thirteen
days before Christmas and hang around
for two weeks, each with their own
special characteristics.
The Yule Lads are traditionally said to
be the sons of the mountain-dwelling
trolls Grýla and Leppalúði, who come
once a year to cause a nuisance; steal
food; harass livestock; and peep through
windows, rather than bearing gifts.
Who are they you ask? Let’s find out!
Sheep-Cote Clod – 12th December – He
likes to steal sheep’s milk from straight
from the source!
Gully Gawk – 13th December – Similar
to Sheep-Cote Clod, he enjoys stealing
cows’ milk.
Stubby – 14th December – This short-
stuff likes to steal leftover food.
Spoon Licker – 15th December - He
tends to sneak into houses and lick used
wooden spoons after cooking.
Pot Scraper – 16th December - He
waits to snatch any pots that haven’t
been washed, and lick the food that
remains there.
Bowl Licker – 17th December – He
hides under the beds of Icelanders, and
licks up the leftovers from un-cleaned
bowls.
Door Slammer – 18th December – This
little swine enjoys making a lot of noise
by slamming doors, especially during
the middle of the night.
Skyr Gobbler – 19th December - He
likes to sneak about and eat any Skyr
that’s lying around (Skyr is a popu-
lar Icelandic dairy product similar to
yogurt).
Sausage Swiper – 20th December
- Sausage Swiper by name, Sausage
Swiper by nature.
Window Peeper – 21st December - This
Lad is not as greedy as some of his
brothers, he just likes to peep through
windows.
Door Sniffer – 22nd December – Rec-
ognised by his huge hooter, he loves to
sniff cakes and leaf bread (Icelandic
flat cakes) during Xmas preparations,
maybe stealing one or two.
Meat Hook – 23rd December – This
meat lover arrives on St. Thorlák’s
Day, where he uses cunning ways to
nick smoked lamb and other Christmas
meats.
Candle Beggar – 24th December - On
Christmas Eve, Candle Beggar comes
out to drink candles, which were, fun-
nily enough, in the ol’ days made from
animal fat - too much temptation for
this cheeky lad.
The boys are back
in town:
Meet Iceland’s
Xmas clan
Photo: Þorgeir Gunnarsson

Iceland is a nation rich in tradition
and community spirit, with Xmas
practices not too dissimilar to the UK
or the U.S. But, of course, Icelanders
wouldn’t be the same if they didn’t
like to do things their own way.
In total, Icelanders celebrate 13 days
of Christmas, starting on 24th Decem-
ber and ending on 6th January, which
is when all Christmas decorations are
removed from the streets and houses.
On 23rd December, Icelanders celebrate
Þorláksmessa (Mass of St. Thorlac), in
celebration of Þorlákur Þórhallsson,
bishop of Skálholt, who was appointed
as the patron saint of Iceland in 1984,
centuries after his death on 23rd De-
cember 1193.
Now, Þorláksmessa has become a spe-
cial part of the Christmas celebrations,
whereby many people finish decorating
their houses and Christmas trees, and
finish purchasing last minute Christ-
mas presents. In western Iceland, it is
customary to eat buried and fermented
skate along with potatoes on Þorláks-
messa. The ammonia-infused odor of
fermented skate is quite strong, and can
normally be smelt seeping from many
neighbourhoods.
In contrast to most nations, Iceland
celebrates Christmas on the evening
of 24th December (6 p.m. to be exact),
where the household festivities begin.
Here, families get together, enjoy good
food, dress up in their best clothes and
spend time with each other.
After all the Christmas celebrations
have resided, it’s only a few days before
Iceland’s party spirit kicks back in until
the New Year’s celebrations. But that’s
a totally different story.
Gleðileg jól, everybody!
Christmas
Traditions
in Iceland

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Gifts from the
North: Pick up
bargains for Xmas
It’s that time of year again where
stress levels and credit card bills
hit the roof. Luckily though, at KEF,
travellers have the special opportu-
nity to not only purchase duty-free
items in departures but also in arriv-
als too – one of only a few airports to
do so in Europe.
Keflavik International Airport holds
eighteen distinct duty-free shops in
its impressive shopping zone. Popular
brands, such as Burberry and Calvin
Klein, can all be found at incredible
prices, some even 50 percent lower
than in the majority of retail stores in
Reykjavík.
KEF’s duty free zone also specialises in
selling and promoting Icelandic prod-
ucts and design. Passengers can pickup
a selection of traditional Icelandic
delicacies, as well as handmade wool
jumpers, scarves, and mittens.
Whist in the departures at the Leifur
Eiríksson terminal, travellers can also
enjoy a range of special Christmas cof-
fee blends, Christmas beers, and snacks
at the various cafés and food halls.
Additionally, it is now even possible
to exchange tax refunds at the main
duty-free shop, meaning that visitors
can use their Iceland Refund cheques to
purchase duty-free and tax-free goods
without queuing for cash at the bank.
Iceland is almost unique in Western
Europe for still being able to sell tax
and duty-free products to both arriving
and departing passengers. This allows
arriving visitors to stock up on tobacco,
liquor, cosmetics, electronic goods and
other gift items.
In Reykjavík, Perlan – the large dome
building sitting on top of Oskjuhlid
hill over looking the city – provides an
array of handcrafted gifts, Christmas
tree decorations and the local favourite
Icelandic folktale ‘Yule Lad’ statues
based on Brain Pilkington’s drawings.
In addition, The Little Christmas Shop,
located on Reykjavik’s main shopping
street, Laugavegur, houses a Varity of
distinctive present ideas in close walk-
ing distance to numerous cafes and
bars.

Photo: Hörður Sveinsson
Reykjavík skyline
fires up:
See in the New Year
with a bang
For Icelanders, New Year’s Eve is a
very big-affair, especially across
Reykjavik. As the clock strikes mid-
night, the skies becoming ablaze with
fireworks, sparklers, and, of course,
Joy!
New Year’s Eve is probably the big-
gest party night of the whole year, and
Fireworks are certainly the biggest
commodities needed. Everyone buys
fireworks, and on this night, everyone
is allowed to light fireworks. Fireworks
are lighted all night long, reaching the
peak at midnight, when the sky lights
up for a several minutes as the fire
trucks and harbored ships ring their
bells and blow their horns to welcome
in the New Year.
Probably the most popular spot in Rey-
kavík to see in the New Year is at the
iconic Hallgrímskirkja church. Here,
you’ll get to see the night turn to day
with thousands of fireworks blasting
off all around - it is certainly the most
impressive display of fireworks you
will ever see.
After midnight, people gather in
downtown Reykjavík to party the night
away, often until the early hours of the
morning – most bars offer drinks, and
provide live music and DJs until at least
5 a.m.
Additionally, the annual Icelandic tele-
vision comedy special Áramótaskaupi
is an important part of the Icelandic
New Year’s celebration. The programme
focuses upon events, which took place
throughout the recent year from a
satirical standpoint, and shows little
mercy towards its victims, especially
politicians, artists, prominent business-
people, and activists.
Fun fact – According to Icelandic folklore, on New Year’s Eve cows are meant
to be able to talk, seals take on human form, the dead rise from their graves,
and elves even move house!

Nothing brings people together more
than food, especially during the fes-
tive period. Icelanders have tradi-
tional customary treats and dishes
shared between family and friends.
In Iceland, it’s customary to eat Christ-
mas dinner on Christmas Eve at roughly
6 p.m., however, dishes vary between
families. The most common dish is
Hamborgarhryggur, which is similar to
gammon steak, glazed with honey and
mustard.
Other common dishes are roasted game,
such as reindeer, ptarmigan and smoked
lamb (hangikjöt), and a great variety
of steaks such as Duck. Turkey is also
eaten by many on Christmas Day or at
other occasions during the Christmas
period.
Throughout Iceland, and it’s capital
Reykjavik, numerous restaurants serve
up traditional and non-traditional
Christmas Buffets, to give visitors
their very-own taste of an Icelandic
Christmas. The buffet usually begins
in mid-November and lasts throughout
December.
Normally on an Icelandic Buffet table
there are many different hot and cold
courses to try from, including sliced
lamb, roasted pork, smoked pork, sweet-
ened potatoes, white sauce with pota-
toes (icelandic style) and much more.
Cold dishes include smoked salmon,
marinated salmon, smoked lamb, her-
ring, salted cod salad, and reindeer pate.
One notable Icelandic Christmas buffet
is at Perlan, the iconic building on the
Öskjuhlíð hill. The monument’s restau-
rant holds a popular buffet with incred-
ible views of the Reykjavik skyline. In
fact, the restaurant’s top floor spins
on low speed, allowing for an amazing
360-degree view of the city.
Feast on the festivities of
Iceland: Enjoy an Icelandic
Christmas dinner

KEF: Voted
best small airport
in Europe for 2011
Óli Björn Hauksson, CEO of Isavia, the
company that operates KEF, said, “We
are extremely proud of these impres-
sive results and the award confirms that
staff members at KEF are world-class
professionals. I would like to congratu-
late them on their impressive perfor-
mance.”
The ACI survey is published quarterly
and annually with 186 major airports
worldwide taking part, 54 of which are
in Europe.
In addition to the latest victory, in 2009,
KEF was ranked the best airport in
Europe and came in second in the same
category for 2010. Furthermore, the air-
port was ranked third in terms of best
airports in the world in 2004 to a group
of airports with less than five million
passengers a year.
According to an extensive airport
service survey conducted by the Air-
ports Council International, KEF has
been voted as the best small airport
in Europe for the 2011 season.
Keflavík International Airport was
awarded for the category of best airport
for 2 million passengers or less. The
airport actually came out on top in
terms of service, but since it was placed
in the smaller airports category, was not
able to come out on top overall.
As part of the survey, participants an-
swered a number of questions about the
quality of more than 36 service factors,
such as its helpfulness and courtesy of
staff, ease of flight connections, cleanli-
ness, check-in times, and for the overall
customer satisfaction.

Bright lights
and cold nights:
Spend a wonderful
Christmas
in Reykjavík
Spending Christmas in Reykjavík is
a wonderful experience filled with
various family-orientated events
leading up to and during the festive
period.
Celebrate the beginning of Advent and
take part in a time-honoured Rey-
kjavík tradition with the lighting of the
Christmas tree at Austurvöllur Square
in Reykjavik City centre.
Every year since 1952, the City of Oslo,
Norway, has presented Reykjavik City
with a huge Christmas tree for the
festive period. The tree will be ceremo-
niously lit this year on 2nd December
where families can gathering and sing
Christmas carols and join-in the festivi-
ties - decorated in white light, the tree
has become an iconic Reykjavík Christ-
mas image.
The Christmas market on Ingólfstorg
Square in the heart of Reykjavík City
centre is a great place to pick up some
authentic and unique giftware from
some of Iceland’s finest designers and
handicraft masters. Iceland’s Christmas
creatures, singers, and instrumental-
ists will be frequently visible as well as
poets, writers, comedians and artists.
On the evening of 23rd December, locals
flock Downtown Reykjavík whereby
they begin to celebrate the festivities,
meet up with friends, and pick up any
last minute goodies, as most stores stay
open late.
For the whole family, why not visit the
animals in the Reykjavik Family Park
and Zoo, ice-skate around a decorated
Christmas tree or talk a nice walk
around the Botanic Garden.
The Reykjavik Botanic Garden is a
quaint area with beautiful arboretum,
ponds, and birdlife. Christmas is widely
celebrated at the gardens, where home
made hot chocolate, mulled wine,
roasted almonds, and open sandwiches
are all served.
Experience Christmas like it was in the
good ol’ days at the Christmas Exhibi-
tion at Árbæjarsafn, a museum/settle-
ment dedicated to the interest, un-
derstanding, and respect for the city’s
cultural heritage.
From house to house, witness the
Christmas preparations of olden times
where traditional leafbread is cut into
decorative patterns before being fried,
wool is spun and knitted, hangikjöt
(smoked lamb) is being cooked, and
pungent skate is bubbling in the pan.
Nestling in the heart of Hafnarfjörður
town, the Christmas Village offers a
special opportunity to enjoy the festive
season. Hafnarfjörður, just a short
distance from the capital, is a pictur-
esque town set in the lava landscape,
with its own relaxed atmosphere. Every
weekend in December until Christmas,
the Christmas Village in Hafnarfjörður
will be open, offering a wide selection
of gifts, Christmas decorations and deli-
cious foods.

Mother Nature’s greatest show on
Earth, the Northern Lights, is set to
reach an all time high in activity for
this decade by the end of 2012.
NASA researchers have stated that
recent coronal mass ejections from the
sun are causing supercharged North-
ern Lights displays, which are amazing
stargazers in Iceland and the rest of the
Northern Hemisphere.
Over the past few months, the sun
unleashed a coronal mass ejection
(CME), sending a huge cloud of charged
particles streaking into space at more
than 3.2 million mph (5.1 million kph).
Once these CME particles collide with
the Earth’s atmosphere, these charged
particles generate the glowing lights of
the Aurora.
The sun’s activity has increased sig-
nificantly, producing a greater amount
of flares and CMEs, and researchers
predict more activity as 2012 becomes
2013.
The natural light displays of the Aurora
Borealis occur most frequently in the
Arctic Circle, centred within a 2500
km radius of the geomagnetic pole. As
Iceland is on the cusp of the circle, the
Island in the North Atlantic provides
the perfect viewing location for the
Aurora Borealis.
Passengers arriving and passing
through Keflavík International Air-
port have a good chance of catching a
glimpse of the Northern Lights due to
the airport’s prime position away from
the city lights, providing clearer views
of the breathtaking Aurora.
Northern
Lights
Galore:
The Aurora
peaks end
of 2012

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KEFLAVIK AIRPORT HAS AGAIN BEEN
VOTED THE BEST AIRPORT IN EUROPE
2011 BY ACI SURVEY PARTICIPANTS
The Airports Council International survey is published
quarterly and annually with 186 major airports worldwide
taking part, 54 of which are in Europe. Survey participants
answer a number of questions about the quality of more
than 36 service factors.
This is the second time that KEF has received this
prestigious award.
We are very pleased with the results, but first and foremost, we
are proud of all the wonderful staff members at KEF that have
worked hard to achieve this title. This would not have been
possible without cooperation, ambition and good morale.
We would like to thank everyone who participated
in the survey.

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