-Increases capacity up to 10% between years -Increases the number of foreign tourists about 20-25 thousand -Creates over 400 jobs in aviation and tourism throughout the country Icelandair has decided to increase its flights next year by up to 10% and make a special effort in bringing tourists to the country. Icelandair flies to Iceland from 26 cities in Europe and North America and will expand next summer from 140 weekly trips to a total of 155 flights per week, or 23 flights daily in the high season. Icelandair adds one Boeing 757 passenger jet to its scheduled fleet and will have 12 aircraft in operation next summer. The company will increase the schedule to a number of destinations and two new destinations, Brussels, Belgium and Trondheim in Norway, will be added to the network. "We are utilising the opportunity that we see now to increase the sale of trips to Iceland with profitability. We believe that the attention Iceland has gained internationally recently and the low exchange rate of the ISK creates opportunities in several markets. Now it's known among the trade and the general public that consumer service in Iceland is still excellent despite the economic recession and Iceland is an equally interesting place as it has been - even more interesting. We use the flexibility inherent in the company to strengthen our marketing efforts internationally", says Birkir Hólm Gudnason, CEO of Icelandair. Icelandair estimates that the added capacity will increase the number of tourist visiting Iceland of about 20-25 thousand and they will bring into the country about six billion ISK in foreign currency to purchase goods and services. The increase will create about 100 additional direct jobs in aviation and flight services and in addition it can be assumed that over three hundred new jobs will be created in the Icelandic tourism industry to service the number of tourists. "In making this decision we, of course, are looking primarily to the profitability of Icelandair, but it is certainly a welcomed addition that increased sales abroad, are a major boost for the travel industry in this country. This is a very job demanding industry and important for the government and indeed all the public to support it, "said Birkir Hólm. The network is the key The Icelandair route network is based on the country's geographical location between Northern Europe and North America. With the hub and spoke system Icelandair is able to serve three markets; the home market in Iceland, the Icelandic tourist market and the international market on the route between Europe and North America through Keflavik Airport. "The flight frequency that Icelandair ensures - i.e. about 150 flights a week to and from many major cities in Europe and North America is the basis for the travel industry in Iceland and the importance of maintaining good communications between Iceland and other countries will never be overestimated, "says Birkir Hólm. For further information, please contact Guðjón Arngrímsson, Icelandair VP Corporate Communications, +354 864 5849