(ANCHORAGE, Alaska) –Icelandair, with its distinctive tail logo depicting golden “wings of flight” and deep blue Nordic seas, will become part of the summer landscape at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport when the first flight arrives at 4:20 p.m. on May 15. Icelandair will provide twice weekly, non-stop service between Reykjavik, Iceland and Anchorage.

"This year Icelandair celebrates 76 years of aviation and while operating the strongest network in its history. By using Keflavik International Airport as our hub, Icelandair is able to afford passengers convenient and economical flights from Alaska to Iceland and a refreshing new option when flying from Alaska to Europe, " said Birkir Hólm Gudnason, CEO of Icelandair.

The inaugural flight will include a delegation of Icelandic and Alaskan business leaders including Birkir Hólm Gudnason, Icelandair; Susan Bell, Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (DCCED); Steve Hatter, Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF); Julie Saupe, Visit Anchorage; Rick Rogers, Resource Development Council; and Andrew Halcro, Anchorage Chamber of Commerce.

“Our staff worked for many months with Icelandair, Anchorage International Airport, and the Alaska visitor industry to make this day possible,” said Susan Bell, DCCED Commissioner. “The new air connections will grow Alaska’s visitor industry, increase European commerce, and strengthen our economy.”

Flight time between Reykjavik and Anchorage on the 189-seat Boeing 757-200 is approximately seven hours. Travelers will connect in Reykjavik with more than 20 destinations in Scandinavia, the United Kingdom and Continental Europe.

Lt. Governor Mead Treadwell will lead the inaugural welcome for Wednesday’s arrival of the Icelandair flight in the airport’s North Terminal lobby. Media should arrive by 3:30 p.m. for a photo opportunity on the airfield and press conference. A second event celebrating the first Icelandair departure from Anchorage will be held Thursday, May 16, beginning at 2 p.m. in the South Terminal.

According to DOT&PF Deputy Commissioner Steve Hatter, "We are very excited about the new service that will connect Alaska and Europe. Icelandair joins Virgin America, jetBlue, United, Delta, Air Canada, American Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Condor, and Yakutia Airlines in providing scheduled seasonal passenger service to Anchorage in 2013.”

Additional information about Icelandair's fares and packages to Iceland and beyond is available at www.icelandair.com or by calling (877) I-FLY-ICE.

The Alaska International Airport System (AIAS) – comprised of Ted Stevens Anchorage and Fairbanks International Airports – is home to over 30 international and domestic airlines providing passenger and cargo service throughout Alaska, the United States, Europe, and Asia. AIAS is an extraordinary economic engine; serving nearly 6 million passengers per year and accounting for 1 in 10 jobs in Anchorage and 1 in 20 jobs in Fairbanks. The purpose of AIAS is "To Keep Alaska Flying and Thriving."

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities oversees 255 airports, 11 ferries serving 35 communities, 5,619 miles of highway and 720 public facilities throughout the state of Alaska. The mission of the department is to “Keep Alaska Moving through service and infrastructure.”

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