Greenland is bracing for a potential influx of tourists as it prepares to unveil a new international airport next month, in a bid to make the remote territory more accessible to adventurers and visitors alike. The new airport, set to open on 28 November, will allow travellers to fly directly to Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, from Copenhagen, Denmark, for the first time ever.
This marks the beginning of a series of airport openings in Greenland, with two other airports in Ilulissat and Qaqortoq scheduled to open by 2026. These developments aim to allow visitors to easily access both sides of the country within a short hour and a half flight. Routes have already been planned for this winter, with five weekly flights from Nuuk to Copenhagen, increasing to six during the holiday season and peaking at eight in the summer.
Visit Greenland, the territory’s tourist board, anticipates that the new airports will offer more frequent and cost-effective travel options compared to the current routes, making Greenland’s dramatic natural landscapes more accessible to adventure tourists and explorers.
Presently, travellers from Europe must first fly to the former military airport of Kangerlussuaq from Copenhagen before making a domestic transfer to reach Nuuk, which proves to be both time-consuming and costly. Similarly, those travelling from North America or the UK often have to navigate multiple transfers, such as flying to Iceland and then catching a flight to Nuuk.
The construction of the new runway at Nuuk began in 2020, featuring a 2,200-metre runway to accommodate direct flights from North America and Europe in the future. The airport includes two taxiways, a tower, a terminal area for passengers, and other service buildings, improving the overall travel experience for visitors.
Originally scheduled for completion in 2023, the airport’s opening was postponed to 2024 due to delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Kalaallit Airports, Greenland’s airport group, also announced a partnership with Spanish company Comsa in 2021 to supply technical equipment for the airports at Nuuk and Ilulissat, enhancing safety during landings, especially in challenging weather conditions to reduce flight cancellations.
In a groundbreaking move, US-based United Airlines revealed plans to offer direct flights to Greenland from New York during the summer months, becoming the first airline to do so. The collaborative efforts of Kalaallit Airports and Visit Greenland aim to promote Greenland’s hidden gems, including volcanic scenery, fjords, valleys, and basalt mountains, to a global audience.
While the new airports hold the promise of economic development and increased tourism, officials are mindful of striking a balance between growth and the wellbeing of established communities on the island. Hjörtur Smárason, the director of Visit Greenland, emphasised the importance of responsible growth and finding the right partners to aid in sustainable tourism development.
For residents of Greenland, the new airports represent an exciting opportunity to establish stronger connections with the rest of the world. One young Nuuk resident expressed excitement about the prospect of easier travel from the island to other countries, highlighting the anticipated impact of the airport on bridging distances.
Greenland, an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark, situated between the Arctic and Atlantic oceans, has historically seen fewer tourists compared to other European destinations. In 2019, over 100,000 visitors explored Greenland’s icy landscapes, with 46,000 of them arriving via cruises.
Jens Laurisden, the CEO of Kalaallit Airports, emphasized the transformative nature of the airport project, positioning Greenland as a unique destination with opportunities for growth and development in various sectors. The new airport is not just a logistical infrastructure; it symbolizes Greenland opening its doors to the world, heralding a new era of connectivity and exploration for the remote territory.