Hrauneyjarfoss Airport

The closure was due to economic reasons and a lack of necessity. The airstrip was a private field built almost exclusively for logistical support during the construction and initial operation of the Hrauneyjarfoss Power Station by Landsvirkjun (The National Power Company of Iceland). Once the major construction was complete and the highland F-roads (like the F26, Sprengisandsleið) provided reliable summer ground access for vehicles, the cost of maintaining a dedicated airfield for infrequent use became unjustifiable.

The site is no longer a functional airport. The physical runway, a long and straight gravel strip, is still clearly visible on satellite imagery and on the ground. However, it is completely unmaintained, lacks any aviation markings or facilities, and is partially overgrown. The strip is now used as a local access road and track for the Hrauneyjar Highland Center, a nearby hotel and service station for tourists exploring the highlands.

Hrauneyjarfoss Airport was a vital logistical asset during the development of the Þjórsá-Tungnaá hydroelectric project in the 1970s and 80s. Located in the desolate and remote Icelandic Highlands, the airstrip was essential for transporting personnel, engineers, light equipment, supplies, and for providing emergency medical evacuation capabilities. It primarily handled small general aviation aircraft, such as Cessna and Piper models, capable of operating from a short, unpaved gravel runway. Its existence significantly accelerated the construction of the Hrauneyjarfoss Power Station (commissioned in 1981) by providing a direct link to Iceland's main population centers, bypassing the difficult and often impassable terrain.

There are no known or credible plans to reopen Hrauneyjarfoss Airport. The original purpose for the airport no longer exists. Modern logistical and emergency needs in the highlands are efficiently met by capable 4x4 ground vehicles during the summer season and by helicopters year-round for specialized tasks or emergencies. The significant cost to rebuild, certify, and maintain an airport in such a harsh environment, coupled with very limited potential demand, makes any prospect of reopening extremely low to non-existent.