Hitting the Runway in Iceland
Colas crews have completed resurfacing work on the two main runways at Reykjavik Airport in Iceland. Begun in 2022, the work was aimed at improving skid resistance, particularly in the touchdown zone. This section, where the aircraft landing gear first comes into contact with the ground, is subjected to extreme stresses. A specially-designed mix, with anti-skid properties, was applied.
Constant vigilance is crucial with any airport project: rigorous quality control was carried out to make sure the new runways met the exacting standards specified by the airport operator. The other feature of the project was that it was carried out while flights were still operating, requiring meticulous organization in close collaboration with the customer.
Colas’ teams worked day and night to mill 95,000 m² of runway and apply 11,250 metric tons of asphalt mix. They have extensive experience in this type of project, having already delivered several airport references in extreme climate environments. Reykjavik airport is one of Iceland’s major infrastructures: it handles all of the country’s national air traffic and also provides services to Greenland and the Faroe Islands. It also receives maritime surveillance aircraft and helicopters operated by Iceland’s coastguard service. By reaffirming its confidence in Colas, the customer confirms the Group’s benchmark status in the airport sector.
