An English company called Discover The World has announced they’ll be running international flights from London Gatwick to Egilsstaðir Airport during summer 2016. Flights will operate on Saturdays and Wednesdays throughout the summer, from the May 28th until the September 24th 2016.

These flights will open up East Iceland to tourism in a new way. Until now, English tourists had to fly first into Keflavík, before driving the south coast or taking an additional domestic flight out to Egilsstaðir.

The route is expected to appeal to those who are interested in seeking out far-flung natural spots such as Holuhraun, Mývatn, and the northeast of Iceland, as well as those who want to see Vatnajökull and the Eastfjords without having to first negotiate the increasingly busy Keflavík Airport and the Flybus into the capital.

The route will probably also prove popular with outwards-looking Eastfjords locals, who can now travel internationally without having to first cross the country to Keflavík.

The new route will also inevitably lead to increased pressure on the sparse tourism infrastructure (such as pathways, public toilets, signage and information services) in the relatively remote Eastfjords — maybe something for the new Icelandic governmental “tourism task force” to consider.

Find out more on the Discover The World website.