Keilir - Atlantic Center of Excellence

An Invitation

from 

the President of Iceland  

Last year the Keilir Aviation Academy hosted a timely and successful conference on the lessons to be learned from the surprises Mother Earth can still come up with. The Eyjafjallajökull eruption became both the core and the symbol of that much-needed debate. The distinguished gathering of aviation leaders, experts, representatives and officials contributed to making the industry better prepared for next time.

Now Iceland is again bringing aviation stakeholders together. The reason is the need to improve winter operations. The failures last December are still vivid in the minds of millions of people. To be stopped at the airport when you are already in Christmas mood is not a formula for enjoyment!

Why Iceland? – you might ask. The reason is simple. Not only is our country the home of the largest collection of volcanoes in Europe but we also host the biggest glaciers in Europe and guard some gateways to the Arctic. For centuries, winter weather has been a challenge to our nation.

Yet, despite these testing conditions, Iceland has become a successful airline hub in the North-Atlantic, connecting America to Europe for decades; flying when others decided to wait. Short airstrips in narrow fjords have trained our pilots to cope with winter conditions; an experience which has served them well in the international arena.

For all these reasons – and many more – the Keilir Aviation Academy decided to build on last year’s success and serve again as a venue for a global dialogue on how airports and airlines can successfully maintain winter operations. 

It will be a pleasure to welcome you all.