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Isavia´s operations

opportunities for the future

Sveinbjörn Indriðason, CEO, discusses Isavia's activities and CSR work.

operation

Isavia is a service company in airport operations and air navigation and forms the foundation for Iceland’s civil aviation. Its operations are of considerable national interest. The employees, moreover, make every effort to conduct their work in a safe and efficient manner in harmony with the community. In December 2019, the operational form of the company was changed when air navigation services and the operation of regional airports, previously departments within Isavia, were converted into subsidiaries. The company’s Board of Directors made the decision for this move on the basis of the fact that the nature of these operating units is dissimilar. Through the changes, each part of the operation will be recognised according to its own importance, have its own board and have the opportunity to concentrate on different areas.

isavia ohf

Keflavík Airport is operated by the parent company Isavia. The Airport is operated wholly on business terms, in a demanding competitive environment and is financially sustainable. This is where the greatest opportunities lie as well as the greatest operational risks.

The company’s Organisational Chart has been changed so that the core operations of Keflavík Airport have been reduced from three to two. This has been done to bring development closer into line with the needs of customers and to bring the concept of service closer to our daily operations. Changes have also been made to the company’s support operations. These now number three, together with the CEO’s Office, which will take on a new role in our updated organisation. Support operations will now be more clearly part of the operations of Keflavík International Airport, not chiefly service units as has been the case up to now.

One of the parent company’s two core operations is ‘Commercial and Airport Development’. Priorities here include airlines and route development, commercial and marketing, infrastructure and real estate and airport development and construction. The other set of core operations is ‘Service and Operation’. Priorities here include airport security, passenger services, airside operations and tower control. The support unit dealing with safety management will be transferred under these core operations.

A new Digital Development and IT Division has been created, while the Finance and Human Resources Divisions will remain as independent entities, albeit with partially modified remits. There is strong focus on all divisions of the parent company working, in one way or another, for the whole Isavia group.

Isavia regional airports

A new subsidiary – Isavia Regional Airports – manages airports in Iceland other than Keflavík International Airport. The operation of these airports is not sustainable. Operations are based on the company’s agreement with the Icelandic Ministry of Home Affairs, which determines their level of service, operation and maintenance, as the airports are part of the public-transport system owned by the state. Isavia Regional Airports operates the international airports in Reykjavík, Akureyri and Egilsstaðir. In addition, there are nine landing sites for regular scheduled flights in Iceland. The company is also responsible for 36 other landing sites throughout Iceland. Managing Director of Isavia Regional Airports is Sigrún Björk Jakobsdóttir.

isavia ans

A new subsidiary – Isavia ANS – provides air navigation services for domestic and international flights in the upper airspace over the North Atlantic. Operation are based on agreements with 24 countries for services and financing, based on a cost recovery system. Isavia ANS is licensed to handle air navigation and air traffic services in the North Atlantic on behalf of Iceland and over the Icelandic air traffic control area. The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has granted seven countries the task of handling air traffic services over this area: as well as Iceland, these are the United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, the United States, Denmark and Portugal. Just over a quarter of all air traffic over the North Atlantic crosses the Icelandic air traffic control area. The area is quite unique among oceanic areas, thanks to its flexibility as regards flight routes and altitudes.
Tern Systems, which develops software for air navigation services, and Suluk, which manages the operation of air navigation services in Greenland, are both subsidiaries of Isavia ANS. Managing Director of Isavia ANS is Ásgeir Pálsson.

the duty free store

The Duty Free Store has been a subsidiary of Isavia since early 2005. It sells duty-free goods on the basis of an operating permit agreement with the parent company. This agreement allows the Duty Free Store to carry out commercial operations in the departure and arrivals lounges at Keflavík Airport, selling typical duty-free goods, such as alcohol, tobacco, sweets and cosmetics. Managing Director of The Duty Free Store is Þorgerður Þráinsdóttir.

As well as these subsidiaries, Isavia also owns Domavia. Isavia’s headquarters are located at Reykjavík Airport.

Strategy

Isavia is a publicly owned company and operates in accordance with operations and state-ownership legislation. The company’s strategy is formulated by its Board of Directors and Executive Board within this framework. Managers and staff are expected to follow company strategy, and the Executive Board is responsible for implementing it.
The main focal points in the company’s strategy is presented in the company’s strategy pyramid, which has changed slightly after the establishment of the new subsidiaries. The company’s role as a service company in the aviation sector has been more clearly defined, and this focus is now better reflected in the pyramid.

Isavia's strategy


Service, Cooperation and Safety are Isavia's values

Isavia’s Executive Board

The Chief officers of Isavia’s core divisions and support divisions, together with the CEO and Deputy-CEO form the Executive Board of the company. The Executive Board debates and discusses strategical matters for the company’s operations. Decisions on issues relating to social responsibility are taken by the company’s CEO and Executive Board. Isavia’s Board of Directors monitors issues that relate to the field.

ceo of iSAVIA

Sveinbjörn Indriðason, born 1972, Economist, He was Isavia's Director of Finance from 2013 until he was hired as Isavia's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in June 2019.

Deputy Ceo

The Deputy CEO manages the office of the CEO who handles the joint affairs of the company and is to assist the Board in ensuring good governance. Elín Árnadóttir born 1971, Business Administrator.  Deputy CEO of Isavia since 2010.

service and operations

Services and Operations are responsible for security management, aviation security, passenger services, airport services and the operation of the flight tower at Keflavík Airport. Anna Björk Bjarnadóttir, born 1967, Sport scientist. Chief Service and Operations Officer from 2020.

Guðmundur - Commercian and airport development

commercial and airport development

Commercial and Airport Development handles communications with airlines and route development, business and marketing, operations and development of infrastructure, as well as airport development and construction at Keflavik airport. Guðmundur Daði Rúnarsson, born 1979, Engineering Manager. Chief Commercial and Airport Development Officer from 2016.

Jóhann - Finance

Finance

The Finance Division handles accounting, financial management, risk management, finance, financing, legal issues and purchasing for the company.  Jóhann Gunnar Jóhannsson, born 1973, Certified Public Accountant. Chief Financial Officer from 2019. 

Arnar - Human resources and corporate strategy

human resources and corporate strategy

Human Resources and Corporate Strategy Division manages human resources, strategic planning and corporate social responsibility for the company. Arnar Másson, born 1971, MS degree in Political Science.  Chief Human resources and Strategy Officer from 2019.

Ragnheiður - Digital development and IT

digital development and it

Digital development and information technology Division operates and leads digital development for the company. Ragnheiður Hauksdóttir, born 1977,  Business Administrator. Chief Information Officer from 2020.