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A new international airport opened on Thursday in Greenland’s third-largest town, Ilulissat, following approval by the Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority.
Built with the aim of better connecting the vast Arctic island to the rest of the world, it is the third new airport to open in Greenland since 2024. This puts the “final piece in place” in the country’s “historic airport expansion”, said operator Greenland Airports.
Ilulissat Airport is the last to open under the Danish autonomous territory’s expansion programme, following Nuuk in November 2024 and Qaqortoq in April 2026. Together, these airports “form a new backbone” for the country’s infrastructure, the operator said.
“The opening is a historic milestone for Ilulissat, for North Greenland, and for all of Greenland,” said Jens Lauridsen, CEO of Greenland Airports.
“The three new airports in Ilulissat, Nuuk, and Qaqortoq fundamentally change how the country is connected internally and how Greenland is connected to the rest of the world.”
The new airport has a 2,200-metre runway capable of accommodating larger aircraft, enabling direct international services to Ilulissat, a hub for Disko Bay and North Greenland.
Air Greenland operates domestic flights between Ilulissat Airport and destinations including Nuuk, Aasiaat, Qaarsut and Upernavik. On the same day as the airport’s opening, Air Greenland launched a direct route between Ilulissat and Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen.
Following the launch, the regular winter schedule begins in November. The route between Copenhagen and Ilulissat will initially be operated by Jettime using a Boeing 737-800. Flights will primarily operate on Wednesdays, with selected additional Monday departures around Christmas and New Year, as well as in March.
Meanwhile, Icelandair will operate a seasonal service between Keflavík and Ilulissat from 3 June to 16 October 2027.
Operations at the airport will “ramp up gradually”, with opening hours and activity expanding in phases. “The goal is for the airport to be fully operational by the summer 2027 season,” Greenland Airports said.
The airport infrastructure upgrades, partly funded by Denmark, are intended to support the development of the local economy and tourism.
“Infrastructure is a long-term investment, and its real impact is measured in decades,” said Jens Wittrup Willumsen, chairman of the board of Greenland Airports.
“With the three new airports, Greenland has a foundation that future generations can build on.
“Now the task is to ensure that the new facilities benefit the entire country, including the towns and settlements around the airports, as part of the future development of business and tourism.”
Located on Greenland’s west coast, about 250 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, Ilulissat is situated next to Disko Bay, known for its enormous icebergs.
For tourism, the new airport means that international visitors can fly directly to Ilulissat to visit its UNESCO-listed icefjord. The airport also creates new opportunities for business, cargo, and regional development throughout North Greenland.
Additional sources • AFP