Icelandair announces new summer 2012 flights to Akureyri in north Iceland. The flights will depart from Keflavik International up to four times a week from 7th June to 30th September 2012. Passengers will be able to book and check bags all the way through to Akureyri from the UK gateways of London Heathrow, Manchester and Glasgow.

The flights fit into the Icelandair hub and spoke network and are timed to provide easy and short connections for UK passengers travelling to and from Akureyri. For instance, passengers departing on the 13:00 London Heathrow flight will arrive at Akureyri at 17:10. Returning, passengers departing Akureyri at 14:30 will arrive at London Heathrow at 19:30.

The flights will be operated with Fokker 50 aircraft leased from Icelandair's sister company, Air Iceland.

Birkir Holm Gudnasson, CEO, said, "It's exciting to add Akureyri as a new destination in our network and into the hub and spoke system which goes through Keflavik airport. With its addition, we are opening up a new way for travellers from the UK and other European and North American cities in our network to travel to Akureyri. It will also add the destination to flight booking systems throughout the world and make it easier for travellers to experience the natural beauty of the northern part of the country.  We hope that this will also be a boost to the tourist sector in the north which is known for its excellent whale watching and outdoor adventure opportunities."

Icelandair is one of Iceland's longest established companies, connecting the world and Iceland for over 70 years. Icelandair flies from the UK to Iceland with connecting service to Boston, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York City, Orlando, Seattle, Washington, DC, Halifax and Toronto.