The Faroe Islands are only accessible by air or sea, and the only airport in the Faroe Islands is Vágar Airport. (Click here for the official website)
Vágar Airport is located on the island of Vágar, and it is the main gateway to the Faroe Islands. The airport has regular and daily, weekly, and seasonal flights to neighboring countries, including Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Scotland. There are also direct flights and connections to destinations like Barcelona, Crete, Gran Canaria, and Lisbon. The airport is not subject to the rules of the European Union because of the Faroe Islands’ status as a self-governing territory.
For travelers planning a trip to the Faroe Islands, Vágar Airport is the most convenient way to get there. With a range of flights to neighboring countries and popular destinations, the airport is an important transportation hub for the region. Whether travelers are visiting for business or pleasure, Vágar Airport provides a convenient and reliable way to reach the stunning landscapes and unique culture of the Faroe Islands.
Facilities and Services
Faroe Islands Vágar Airport offers a range of facilities and services to ensure that passengers have a comfortable and convenient travel experience. Here are some of the key offerings:
Food and Beverage
There are several options for dining at the airport. Passengers can grab a quick bite or coffee at the Duty-free café, which is open during airport operating hours. Alternatively, they can visit the restaurant located in the terminal building, which offers a variety of meals and snacks.
Shopping
For those looking to do some shopping, the Duty-free store has a range of products including tobacco, alcohol, perfume, and souvenirs. Passengers can also browse through the selection of books, magazines, and newspapers available at the airport.
Car Rental
Visitors to the Faroe Islands can rent a car from car rental companies such as Avis and local providers at the airport. It is recommended to book a car well in advance to save time and money at the airport.
Parking
Vágar Airport offers both short-term and long-term parking options. Passengers can choose from the outdoor parking lot or the covered parking garage located near the terminal building. The parking rates are reasonable and can be paid using cash or card.
Wi-Fi
The airport provides free Wi-Fi to all passengers, allowing them to stay connected with their loved ones or work while waiting for their flights.
Accessibility
The airport is wheelchair accessible, with elevators and ramps available for passengers with reduced mobility. There are also designated parking spots and restrooms for people with disabilities.
Airlines and Destinations
Vágar Airport is the only airport with scheduled flight traffic on the Faroe Islands. The airport is located on the island of Vágar, which is connected to the main island of Streymoy by a tunnel and a bridge. Two airlines fly to the Faroe Islands: the Faroe Islands’ national airline, Atlantic Airways, and Scandinavian Airlines (also called SAS).
Atlantic Airways is the main airline operating in the Faroe Islands, and it approaches 10 destinations. The airline operates scheduled domestic helicopter services and international flights to destinations in Europe, including Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) operates flights to the Faroe Islands from Copenhagen, Denmark. The airline operates flights to Copenhagen on a daily basis, and the flight time is approximately 2 hours. SAS is a member of Star Alliance, and passengers can connect to other destinations in Europe and around the world from Copenhagen.
Vágar Airport has direct flights to 11 destinations with 2 airlines in scheduled passenger service. The airlines that operate at Vágar Airport are Atlantic Airways and Scandinavian Airlines (SAS). The destinations that can be reached directly from Vágar Airport are:
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Billund, Denmark
- Aalborg, Denmark
- Bergen, Norway
- Reykjavik, Iceland
- Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- London, United Kingdom
- Palma de Mallorca, Spain
- Gran Canaria, Spain
- Tenerife, Spain
- Gdansk, Poland
It is important to note that not all destinations are available year-round, and flight schedules may change depending on the season. Passengers are advised to check the airline’s website for the latest information on flight schedules and availability.
Connecting to Faroe Islands Airport
The Faroe Islands are a remote destination in the North Atlantic, but getting to the Faroe Islands is easier than you might think. The Faroe Islands are served by Vágar Airport, located on the island of Vágar. Here are some tips for connecting to Faroe Islands Airport:
By Air
Vágar Airport is the only airport in the Faroe Islands and is served by Atlantic Airways, the national airline of the Faroe Islands. Atlantic Airways operates flights to and from Copenhagen, Denmark, Reykjavik, Iceland, Edinburgh, Scotland, and Bergen, Norway. There are also seasonal flights to and from Barcelona, Spain, and the Faroe Islands.
By Car
If you plan on driving to the airport, there is a subsea tunnel between the island of Vágar and the main island of Streymoy that provides an easy link between the airport and the capital of Tórshavn as well as a number of villages and settlements along the way. The drive from Tórshavn to Vágar Airport takes about 40 minutes.
By Bus
Regular public buses, shuttle, and taxi services are available to and from Vágar Airport. There are several bus routes to and from the airport, and taxis can be pre-booked and hired. The drive from the airport to Tórshavn takes about 40 minutes.
By Ferry
While there is no direct ferry service to Vágar Airport, there are ferry services to the Faroe Islands from Denmark, Iceland, and Norway. From there, you can drive or take a bus to Vágar Airport.
Overall, connecting to Faroe Islands Airport is easy and convenient. Whether you choose to fly, drive, or take public transportation, you’ll be able to reach this remote and beautiful destination in the North Atlantic.
History of Faroe Islands Airport
The Faroe Islands have a long history of aviation, dating back to World War II when the British Army Royal Engineers built an airfield on the island of Vágar. Known as RAF Vagar/Vaagar (Royal Air Force), the site was strategically chosen because it was hard to spot from the surrounding waters and any potential German warship.
After the war, the airfield was abandoned and left unused until 1963 when it was reopened as a civilian airport. From 1963 to April 2007, Vágar Airport was administered by the Danish Civil Aviation Administration. In May 2007, the government of the Faroe Islands took over ownership of the airport.
Over the years, the airport has undergone several upgrades and expansions to meet the growing demand for air travel to the Faroe Islands. In 2014, a new terminal building was opened, which increased the airport’s capacity to handle up to 1 million passengers per year.
Today, Vágar Airport is the only airport in the Faroe Islands and serves as a vital transportation hub for both domestic and international flights. The airport is operated by the state-owned company, Vagar Airport Ltd., and is served by several airlines, including Atlantic Airways, Scandinavian Airlines, and Wizz Air.
Future Developments
The Faroe Islands Airport has undergone significant upgrades in recent years, but there are still plans for future developments. Here are some of the current plans:
- Further expansion of the runway: The Faroese government has expressed interest in expanding the runway even further to accommodate larger aircraft. This would allow for more direct flights to the Faroe Islands from other parts of the world.
- New parking facilities: As the number of visitors to the Faroe Islands continues to increase, there is a need for additional parking facilities at the airport. Plans are currently in place to construct a new parking lot that will accommodate more vehicles.
- Improved cargo facilities: The Faroe Islands are known for their fishing industry, and there is a need for improved cargo facilities at the airport to support this industry. Plans are currently in place to construct a new cargo terminal that will be able to handle larger volumes of cargo.
It is important to note that these plans are still in the early stages of development, and there is no set timeline for when they will be completed. However, they represent the Faroese government’s commitment to improving the infrastructure on the islands and making the Faroe Islands more accessible to visitors from around the world.