Owais Crawford
Qaanaaq Airport is a small regional airport in northern Greenland, serving the town of Qaanaaq, formerly known as New Thule. The airport was established in 1991 and is located 3.1 miles from the town centre. It is the only civilian airport north of Upernavik and is considered a lifeline for northern Greenland, providing essential services for both domestic and limited international flights. But can an MD-80 land at this airport?
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What You'll Learn
Qaanaaq Airport's location and weather
Qaanaaq Airport (Greenlandic: Mittarfik Qaanaaq; Danish: Thule Lufthavn) is located 1.9 NM (3.5 km; 2.2 mi) northwest of Qaanaaq, a settlement in the Avannaata municipality in northern Greenland. It is the only civilian airport north of Upernavik and is a lifeline for northern Greenland. The airport is located at a latitude of 77.48865 and a longitude of -69.3887305556, with an elevation of 51 ft.
The airport was established in 1991 to serve Qaanaaq and its neighbouring communities because the Thule Air Base in Pituffik is not open for regular passenger traffic. Fresh food and other consumer products are transported to the region via the airport. Air Greenland operates government contract flights to villages in the Qaanaaq region. These are mostly cargo flights that can be pre-booked.
Travel to Qaanaaq Airport from south Greenland includes plane changes at Ilulissat and Upernavik. Travel from other countries includes plane changes in Copenhagen, Kangerlussuaq, Ilulissat, and Upernavik, or Reykjavik, Ilulissat, and Upernavik. Travellers bound for Thule Air Base in Pituffik are required to apply for a transfer permit from either Rigsombudsmanden in Nuuk (for residents of Greenland) or the Danish Foreign Ministry (for all others).
The airport is operational and retail in terms of usage, with hours of operation listed as 0900-1630 LT Monday to Friday. The airport is closed from 0001-2359 LT on Sundays and Saturdays.
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Aircraft and airlines serving Qaanaaq
Qaanaaq Airport (IATA: NAQ, ICAO: BGQQ) is located 3.5 km northwest of Qaanaaq, in the Avannaata municipality in northern Greenland. It was established in 1991 to serve Qaanaaq and neighbouring communities, as Thule Air Base in Pituffik does not accommodate regular passenger traffic. It is the only civilian airport north of Upernavik, making it a lifeline for northern Greenland.
Air Greenland is the only airline that flies to and from Qaanaaq Airport as of April 2025. They offer a non-stop route to Ilulissat, which is the longest flight from Qaanaaq Airport, covering 668 km in 2 hours and 40 minutes. Ilulissat, Pituffik, and Siorapaluk are the three most popular routes from Qaanaaq. Air Greenland also operates government contract flights, which are mostly cargo flights that can be pre-booked. These flights are not featured in the timetable, and their departure times are approximate, depending on the local demand for a given day.
To travel to Qaanaaq from other countries, plane changes must be made in Copenhagen, Kangerlussuaq, Ilulissat, and Upernavik, or Reykjavik, Ilulissat, and Upernavik. Travel from south Greenland to Qaanaaq includes plane changes at Ilulissat and Upernavik.
The day with the most flights departing from Qaanaaq Airport is Thursday, with an average of one flight leaving the airport. There are approximately 22 flights departing from Qaanaaq every month, or seven flights each week, to a total of three airports within Greenland.
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International travel to Qaanaaq
Qaanaaq, formerly known as Thule, is a settlement in the Avannaata municipality in northern Greenland. It is known for its Inuit culture and stunning Arctic wilderness. Travellers can experience the local customs of the town, including traditional hunting and Inuit music. The region also offers kayaking in Baffin Bay and dogsledding through sweeping white slopes and craggy mountaintops.
Qaanaaq Airport (Greenlandic: Mittarfik Qaanaaq; Danish: Thule Lufthavn) is located 3.5 km northwest of the settlement. It is the only civilian airport north of Upernavik and is served by Air Greenland, which operates government contract flights to villages in the Qaanaaq region. These flights are mostly cargo flights, but passengers can pre-book them.
International travellers to Qaanaaq Airport can fly from Copenhagen, Kangerlussuaq, Ilulissat, Upernavik, Reykjavik, or other locations. Air Greenland offers direct flights from Ilulissat. It is recommended that international travellers arrive at the airport 3 hours before departure time to allow for check-in, security, and unexpected delays.
When travelling from other countries, plane changes may be required in Copenhagen, Kangerlussuaq, Ilulissat, and Upernavik, or in Reykjavik, Ilulissat, and Upernavik. Travellers bound for Thule Air Base in Pituffik, located near Qaanaaq Airport, must apply for a transfer permit from the Danish authorities. This can be done through the Rigsombudsmanden in Nuuk for residents of Greenland, or the Danish Foreign Ministry for all others.
To find the best flights to Qaanaaq, travellers can use online tools such as Google Flights and KAYAK to track prices, plan trips, and book flights.
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Domestic travel to Qaanaaq
When travelling domestically, it is recommended that you arrive at the airport 2 hours before departure time. For international flights, it is recommended that you arrive 3 hours before departure time. You can use Google Flights to find cheap flights to Qaanaaq and to track prices for specific dates.
Qaanaaq Airport is located 1.9 nautical miles (3.5 km or 2.2 miles) northwest of Qaanaaq. It was established in 1991 to serve Qaanaaq and neighbouring communities because Thule Air Base in Pituffik is not open for regular passenger traffic. It is the only civilian airport north of Upernavik and is a lifeline for northern Greenland, with fresh food and other consumer products transported by air.
If you are travelling from south Greenland to Qaanaaq, you will need to change planes at Ilulissat and Upernavik. If you are travelling from Upernavik with connections from southwest Greenland, your travel to Qaanaaq is not influenced.
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Facilities at Qaanaaq Airport
Qaanaaq Airport is located 3.5 km northwest of Qaanaaq, a settlement in the Avannaata municipality in northern Greenland. It was established in 1991 to serve Qaanaaq and the neighbouring communities, as Thule Air Base in Pituffik does not accommodate regular passenger traffic. It is the only civilian airport north of Upernavik and is crucial for northern Greenland.
The airport is a lifeline for the region, facilitating the transportation of fresh food and other consumer goods by air. Air Greenland operates government-contracted flights, primarily cargo, to villages in the Qaanaaq region. These flights can be pre-booked, although their departure times are approximate, subject to optimisation based on local demand.
For travellers heading to Thule Air Base in Pituffik, a transfer permit is necessary. This can be obtained from Rigsombudsmanden in Nuuk for Greenland residents or the Danish Foreign Ministry for all other travellers. Failure to present this permit during check-in will result in boarding denial.
Regarding facilities, while there is limited specific information available, the airport does have a functional runway and handles cargo and passenger flights, including those operated by Air Greenland. The airport also has a code of NAQ per the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and BGQQ according to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
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