On February 26, 2026, three Icelandair planes were diverted to Reykjavik Airport due to difficult weather conditions impacting Keflavik Airport. Adverse weather, characterized by snowfall and strong winds, has made it challenging for airplanes to land on the runway at Keflavik, leading to significant delays in flight operations. Many aircraft were circling over the South Coast while waiting for landing clearance, resulting in operational challenges for the airline and air traffic control.

Guðjón Helgason, a spokesperson for Isavia, explained that the weather conditions were causing delays as the snow and wet conditions hindered the clearing and braking conditions on the runway. The operational difficulties were further compounded by aircraft waiting to land, making it a complex situation for both flight crews and ground services. Helgason noted that decisions regarding the redirection of flights are not made by Isavia, leaving it to the respective airline and pilot to decide.

Icelandair’s Guðni Sigurðsson mentioned that two of the planes were already in Reykjavik, with one more scheduled to land there. He reassured that other flights coming from Europe were still scheduled to proceed to Keflavik. This situation highlights the vulnerabilities in air travel safety due to unpredictable weather patterns, especially in regions like Iceland, where conditions can change rapidly, potentially affecting travel plans for many passengers.