PLAY Airlines Reports Decrease in March Passenger Numbers Amid Changes

REYKJAVIK, Iceland – PLAY Airlines carried 111,531 passengers in March 2025, a decline from 142,918 passengers in the same month last year, reflecting a 16.5% reduction in capacity. This change follows the airline’s decision to lease one aircraft to GlobalX in Miami and to adjust its network to align better with seasonal demand, as previously announced.

The airline’s load factor in March 2025 was recorded at 82.0%, down from 88.1% in March 2024. According to PLAY, the shift to prioritize leisure destinations in Southern Europe contributed to the change. Although leisure traffic is often more profitable, these routes generally operate on a point-to-point system, leading to lower load factors.

Another factor impacting passenger numbers is the timing of Easter; in 2025, Easter falls in April, whereas in 2024, it was in March. Of the total passengers, 30.7% were departing from Iceland, 37.5% were arriving in Iceland, and 31.8% were connecting through Iceland.

Despite the drop in passenger count, PLAY’s on-time performance stood at 83.9% in March, down from 94.0% the previous year. The change is attributed to weather-related disruptions in Iceland.

PLAY Europe, a subsidiary of Fly Play hf., received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from Malta’s Civil Aviation Directorate in March, marking an important step in the airline’s international expansion. This move is part of a restructuring process initiated last October, allowing the subsidiary to operate leased aircraft outside of Iceland and distinct from the main PLAY brand.

The first aircraft under the Maltese AOC, an Airbus A321-NEO, is already registered and ready for operation. PLAY Europe plans to recruit pilots and cabin crew locally while maintaining operations for its low-cost carrier model from Keflavík.

In April 2025, PLAY will commence its inaugural flight to Antalya, Turkey, marking the first scheduled service between Iceland and Turkey. Additionally, the airline will begin flights to Faro, Portugal, adding to its current destinations of Lisbon, Porto, and Madeira.

The outlook for summer 2025 is optimistic, with expectations for an improved seat factor across all market segments compared to the previous year. Forward bookings to and from Iceland remain strong, indicating increased demand despite the capacity reductions.

While VIA traffic is lagging behind last year’s numbers due to the strategic shift in focus, Einar Örn Ólafsson, CEO of PLAY, expressed optimism: “Receiving the AOC in Malta for our new subsidiary, Play Europe, is a major milestone for our company and a crucial step toward building more stable financial operations,” he stated. He further highlighted the focus on delivering exceptional service to passengers during the Easter season.