Keflavik International Airport is the airport of choice for major aircraft manufacturers to conduct maximum crosswind performance demonstration flights. Periodical continuous strong winds, the layout and angle of its 01-19 and 10-28 runways make the airport unique for crosswind testing. The airport is operated by ISAVIA, the national Airport and Air Navigation Service provider of Iceland. Crosswind test flights are subject to a special application process and permission to be granted by ISAVIA.
The precondition for permission for test flights to be granted by ISAVIA is that the applicant concerned demonstrates that the testflight does not present any increased risk to the aerodrome. Test flights at Keflavik Airport are limited to only test flights that require special weather conditions to demonstrate Maximum Crosswind performance of an aircraft.
Average wind speed at Keflavík Airport is relatively high in the wintertime during November through March. Storms are more likely during the high winter period December through February. The average wind-gust measured during storms is 57,6KT.
Test flights can be operated daily throughout the year on RWY 01-19 and RWY 10-28. Test flights are not permitted from 1430-1600 UTC daily (ref. AIP ICELAND BIKF AD 2.20.8, AD 2.23.5 & A0465/21 NOTAMN).
ATC may without prior notice need to restrict test flights in order to decrease workload and maintain safety at Keflavík Airport.