Greenland's Airports: A Travel Mystery Unveiled

Greenland has 33 airports, including international airports, domestic airports, and military and private airports. Air travel is extremely important in Greenland, as there are generally no roads between settlements. The first airports in Greenland were built by the United States defence, the first and largest being Kangerlussuaq Airport in 1941. Today, the largest airports in Greenland include Kangerlussuaq Airport, Nuuk Airport, Ilulissat Airport, and Neerlerit Inaat Airport. Greenland Airports A/S, founded by the Greenlandic government in 2016, is currently constructing three new airports to improve access to Greenland from North America and Europe.

Kangerlussuaq Airport: Greenland's first and largest airport

Greenland has 33 airports, and air travel is extremely important in the country as there are generally no roads between settlements. The first airports in Greenland were built by and for the United States defence. The first and largest of these was Kangerlussuaq Airport, which was built in 1941 under the name Bluie West-8. It was later renamed Sondrestromfjord Air Base and Sondrestrom Air Base. The airport is located inland, making it less prone to wind and fog than other airports in Greenland.

Kangerlussuaq Airport is located in a settlement in the Qeqqata municipality in central-western Greenland. It is one of only three civilian airports in Greenland that can handle large aircraft, alongside Nuuk and Narsarsuaq airports. The airport was handed over to civilian Greenlandic control in 1992.

In the mid-1950s, transatlantic civilian flights began using the airbase for refuelling. Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) operated the connection from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq beginning in 1954 as a fuel stop en route to the United States. This use enabled air travel to Greenland but fell off in the 1960s as airliners gained greater range. Instead, the base became the hub for Greenland air traffic.

In 2011, plans were made to move the main Greenland intercontinental air hub away from Kangerlussuaq. However, in 2024, it was clarified that Kangerlussuaq Airport would remain open and accessible to larger civilian aircraft. The airport is important due to its stable weather and longer runway. It is also a popular stop for cruise ships, as it offers a reliable airport with few delays.

Air Greenland: the country's only airline

Greenland has 33 airports, but only one airline: Air Greenland. The airline, founded in 1960, is owned by the Greenlandic government and offers flights to, from, and within Greenland. Air Greenland's fleet includes a variety of aircraft and helicopters, ranging from large Airbus planes to smaller helicopters, making it one of the most versatile airlines in the world.

Air Greenland's domestic and international hub is at Nuuk Airport, where it operates a fleet of 28 aircraft. This includes a single Airbus A330-800 airliner used for transatlantic and charter flights, nine fixed-wing aircraft serving the domestic network, and 18 helicopters that transport passengers from smaller communities to the domestic airport network.

The airline's history dates back to its founding as Grønlandsfly, providing transport and logistics for four American radar bases in Greenland. Over the years, it has expanded its services, upgraded its fleet, and established new routes, including international connections to Canada and Iceland.

Air Greenland plays a vital role in connecting Greenland's settlements, as air travel is extremely important due to the lack of roads between towns. The airline also supports remote research stations, provides charter services for tourists, and assists in emergencies with medivac capabilities.

In addition to its flight operations, Air Greenland has seven subsidiaries, including an airline, hotels, tour operators, and a travel agency specialising in Greenlandic tourism. The airline's commitment to providing essential travel services and promoting Greenland as a tourist destination makes it a key contributor to the country's transportation and tourism industries.

Greenland's 33 airports: 13 civil airports and 47 helipads

Greenland has a total of 33 airports, comprising 13 civil airports and 47 helipads. Air travel is extremely important in Greenland, as there are generally no roads connecting settlements. The first airports in Greenland were built by and for the United States defence forces. The first and largest airport, Kangerlussuaq Airport, was built in 1941, followed by Narsarsuaq Airport in 1942, and Pituffik Space Base in 1953. These early airports were not initially used for civilian travel due to their distance from major settlements. However, in the early 1960s, Greenlandair commenced civilian flights between air bases and helicopter and seaplane flights to large settlements.

The 13 civil airports in Greenland are operated by the state-owned enterprise Greenland Airport Authority (Mittarfeqarfiit). These airports can accommodate fixed-wing STOL (short takeoff and landing) operations year-round, and two of them, Kangerlussuaq Airport and Narsarsuaq Airport, can handle airliners.

The 47 helipads, or heliports, are also operated by the Greenland Airport Authority. Of these, 8 are primary heliports with tarmac landing areas, passenger terminals, and permanent staff. The remaining heliports are helistops with gravel or grass landing areas. These heliports are crucial for serving smaller communities and remote settlements, with flights often operated by Air Greenland on a government contract.

In recent years, there have been plans to expand and upgrade some of the airports in Greenland. In 2016, the decision was made to extend the runways of Nuuk Airport and Ilulissat Airport to accommodate medium-sized jetliners from Denmark. Additionally, there are plans to build new airports in Qaqortoq, Tasiilaq, and Ittoqqortoormiit, which may lead to the closure of some existing airports.

Greenland Airport Authority: the state-owned enterprise that operates Greenland's airports

Greenland has 13 civilian airports, 2 international airports, and a large network of 43 heliports. Air travel is extremely important in Greenland, as there are generally no roads between settlements. The airports in Greenland are operated by the Greenland Airport Authority (Greenlandic: Mittarfeqarfiit), a state-owned enterprise.

The Greenland Airport Authority is in charge of airport upgrades and associated fees and taxes in all airports in Greenland. The company employs over 400 people, mainly staffing the main airports. The Greenland Airport Authority also operates a country-wide network of 43 heliports, of which 8 are primary heliports, and the rest are considered helistops. Most of the helistops are staffed by Air Greenland.

The first airports in Greenland were built by and for the United States defence. The first and largest was Kangerlussuaq Airport, built in 1941, followed by Narsarsuaq Airport in 1942. These airports were not initially used for civilian travel due to their distance from major settlements. In the early 1960s, Greenlandair was founded, commencing civilian flights between the air bases and helicopter and seaplane flights to large settlements.

In 2016, the state-owned company Kalaallit Airports A/S was formed to build or rebuild the airports in Nuuk, Ilulissat, and Qaqortoq. In April 2024, Kalaallit Airports and Mittarfeqarfiit were merged and the new company was called Greenland Airports.

Today, the Greenland Airports Authority operates 13 airports, all of which can accommodate fixed-wing STOL operations year-round, and two of which can handle airliners. The two international airports in Greenland are Kangerlussuaq Airport and Nerlerit Inaat Airport.

Greenland's new international airports: Nuuk, Ilulissat, and Qaqortoq

Greenland has 33 airports, including international airports, domestic airports, and military and private airports. Nuuk, Ilulissat, and Qaqortoq are among the airports that have recently undergone or are currently undergoing significant expansion and construction projects to accommodate larger aircraft and more international destinations.

Nuuk Airport

Nuuk Airport (Greenlandic: Mittarfik Nuuk) is an international airport serving Nuuk, the capital of Greenland. The airport is the hub and technical base for Air Greenland, the flag carrier airline of Greenland, connecting the capital with almost all towns in the country and international destinations. The airport was originally constructed for STOL-capable aircraft in 1979. In 2024, the airport was comprehensively rebuilt and expanded, including a runway extension and a new terminal, allowing larger jet aircraft to serve more international destinations. The rebuilt runway was opened on 28 November 2024, and Air Greenland transitioned its hub from Kangerlussuaq Airport to Nuuk.

Ilulissat Airport

Ilulissat Airport (Greenlandic: Mittarfik Ilulissat) is a minor international airport serving Ilulissat, Greenland, and the entire Disko Bay Region, North and West Greenland. It is the second airport built in Greenland for civilian travel, partially funded by the EU Structural Funds and Cohesion Fund. The airport is located northeast of Ilulissat, just 2.8 kilometres from the city centre. It was built in 1983, replacing the heliport. Ilulissat Airport is currently undergoing a major expansion, including a new, longer runway and a new terminal, slated for completion in 2026. The expanded airport will allow larger jet aircraft to serve more international destinations and is expected to be the third-busiest airport in Greenland.

Qaqortoq Airport

Qaqortoq Airport is a new airport currently under construction. It will be built with a 1,500-metre instrument runway on the north side of Storefjeld, with the possibility of extending it up to 1,799 metres in the future. The airport will be located approximately 6.5 kilometres from Qaqortoq town and is designed to operate with all types of aircraft used within Greenland. Additionally, it will be able to accommodate aircraft with a fully utilised capacity of 70-100 passengers flying to nearby overseas destinations such as Iceland and Iqaluit.

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