PLAY Airlines Sets Record in August 2024, Expands Route Network

PLAY Airlines, the Icelandic low-cost carrier, has reported August 2024 as one of its most successful months since its inception in 2021. The airline saw a significant increase in passenger numbers and achieved its highest-ever load factor, highlighting a robust recovery and strategic expansion in its service offerings.

In August 2024, PLAY transported 187,960 passengers, marking a 1.8% increase from the nearly 185,000 passengers it flew in August 2023. The load factor for the month reached an all-time high of 91.6%, surpassing the previous year’s figure of 88.9% by 2.7%. Einar Örn Ólafsson, CEO of PLAY Airlines, emphasized the achievement, noting that the high load factor during a typically challenging month underscores the strong demand and positive reception of their services.

The airline operated flights to 32 destinations from its base at Reykjavik-Keflavik International Airport, with 22 routes achieving a load factor over 90%. Notably, PLAY maintained an on-time performance of 91.5%, ranking it as the most punctual airline at KEF International Airport for the thirteenth consecutive month.

Analysis of passenger traffic for August reveals diverse utilization of PLAY’s services: 25.9% of passengers departed from Iceland, 35.6% arrived in Iceland as their final destination, and 38.5% were connecting passengers at KEF, bridging services between Europe and North America.

The growth in traffic to and from Iceland was particularly significant. In August 2024, 48,694 passengers flew from Iceland, up 18.4% from 41,112 passengers in August 2023, highlighting increasing acceptance and satisfaction within the local market. This growth is attributed to PLAY’s strategy of offering attractive destinations to Icelandic travelers, reinforcing the carrier’s commitment to its home market.

Looking to the future, PLAY is not slowing down. The airline announced the launch of ticket sales for new routes to Faro, Portugal, and Aalborg, Denmark, expanding its network in these countries. Faro will become PLAY’s fourth destination in Portugal, complementing existing services to Lisbon, Porto, and Funchal, while Aalborg will be its third Danish destination.

Furthermore, PLAY is increasing its weekly services to Vilnius, Lithuania, from one to two flights per week starting in 2025, and has introduced a new route to Pula, Croatia, set to commence on May 31, 2025. This expansion into Croatia includes an increase in flights to Split during the peak summer season, reflecting the carrier’s success in the Croatian market.

As of summer 2025, PLAY plans to operate flights to 44 destinations across Europe, North Africa, and North America. The fleet consists of ten modern Airbus A320neo family aircraft, featuring six 174-seat A320neos and four 214-seat A321neos, with an average age of just 3.8 years, ensuring efficient and comfortable travel for its passengers.

This strategic expansion and operational excellence underscore PLAY Airlines’ ambitious plans to continue growing as a key player in the competitive low-cost airline market, catering to an increasing number of travelers seeking affordable and reliable flight options.