newstodate.aero
Mar 30, 2006 (newstodate): Uncertainty still shrouds the immediate future of Keflavik Airport, Iceland.
Top-level negotiations are currently being conducted between the Icelandic government and the US military that has announced its withdrawal by the end of September from the military base adjoining the civil airport of Keflavik.
A full pull-out would pose immediate problems for several functions at the airport as it has so far relied heavily on the military installations and their services.
But some sources now indicate that the current round of negotiations may result in a loosening up of the full scenario, maybe leaving some functions intact and manned during an interim period, allowing for Iceland's gradual take-over of pertinent areas of responsibility.
In consequence of the international and semi-military character of Keflavik Airport it is still under the jurisdiction of Iceland's ministry of foreign affairs, while the domestic Reykjavik Airport near the city belongs to the ministry of transportation.
Top-level negotiations are currently being conducted between the Icelandic government and the US military that has announced its withdrawal by the end of September from the military base adjoining the civil airport of Keflavik.
A full pull-out would pose immediate problems for several functions at the airport as it has so far relied heavily on the military installations and their services.
But some sources now indicate that the current round of negotiations may result in a loosening up of the full scenario, maybe leaving some functions intact and manned during an interim period, allowing for Iceland's gradual take-over of pertinent areas of responsibility.
In consequence of the international and semi-military character of Keflavik Airport it is still under the jurisdiction of Iceland's ministry of foreign affairs, while the domestic Reykjavik Airport near the city belongs to the ministry of transportation.