Ruth Haines
Greenland, the world's largest island, has several airports that serve its population of around 56,000. Air travel is extremely important in Greenland, as there are generally no roads between settlements. The first and largest airport, Kangerlussuaq Airport, was built in 1941 by the United States for defence purposes. Nuuk Airport, Greenland's international airport, opened in November 2024, marking the beginning of a series of openings for three Greenlandic airports through to 2026. These airports promise to make Greenland a more accessible destination for tourists and explorers.
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What You'll Learn
Nuuk Airport
Greenland has 13 civil airports (excluding Pituffik Space Base) and 47 helipads, all operated by the state-owned enterprise Greenland Airport Authority (Mittarfeqarfiit). Air travel is extremely important in Greenland, as there are generally no roads connecting settlements.
The airport was originally constructed in 1979 for STOL-capable aircraft. In 2024, the airport underwent significant redevelopment, including a runway extension and a new terminal, allowing larger jet aircraft to serve more international destinations. The runway is now 2,200 m (7,200 ft) long. Previously, longer-distance jet traffic was operated from Kangerlussuaq Airport, requiring transfers and lengthier journey times.
The new Nuuk Airport, which opened on November 28, 2024, is the first of three new Greenlandic airports scheduled to open through 2026. These new airports promise more frequent and cost-effective travel options, making Greenland a more accessible destination. The additional two airports will be in Ilulissat and Qaqortoq in South Greenland, allowing travellers to reach most parts of the country within 1.5 hours.
With the new airport, direct flights are available between Nuuk and Copenhagen, Denmark, for the first time. During the winter season, there are five weekly flights between these cities, increasing to six during the holidays and eight in the summer. Morning flights from Copenhagen depart at 08:20 AM or 08:35 AM, arriving in Nuuk at 10:10 AM or 10:25 AM, respectively. Morning flights from Nuuk depart at 12:10 PM, arriving in Copenhagen at 7:40 PM.
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Greenland's airports history
Greenland's airports are essential for travel within the country, as there are generally no roads between settlements. The first airports in Greenland were built by and for the United States defence during their occupation of the country. The first and largest was Kangerlussuaq Airport, built in 1941, followed by Narsarsuaq Airport in 1942, and Pituffik Space Base in 1953. 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 settlements via helicopter and seaplane.
Kangerlussuaq Airport was originally named Bluie West-8, later renamed Sondrestromfjord Air Base and then Sondrestrom Air Base. It was handed over to civilian Greenlandic control in 1992 and was the hub for Air Greenland until 2024, when most traffic transitioned to Nuuk Airport. The airport is still important due to its stable weather and longer runway, and it is still used by cruise ships for passenger exchanges.
Nuuk Airport, originally constructed in 1979, was comprehensively rebuilt and expanded in 2024, with a runway extension and a new terminal allowing larger jet aircraft to serve more international destinations. Nuuk Airport is now the hub and technical base for Air Greenland, linking the capital with almost all towns in the country and international destinations.
In 2011, it was decided that new aircraft could not be purchased due to the size limitations of Greenland's airports. As a result, plans were made to extend the runways of Nuuk and Ilulissat airports, and to build a new airport at Qaqortoq, with construction starting in 2019. The new Nuuk Airport opened on 28 November 2024, marking the beginning of a series of openings for three Greenlandic airports through to 2026. These developments promise to make Greenland a more accessible destination for travellers.
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Air Greenland
Greenland has 13 civil airports (not including Pituffik Space Base) and 47 helipads, which are operated by the state-owned enterprise Greenland Airport Authority (Mittarfeqarfiit). Air travel is extremely important in Greenland, 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 was Kangerlussuaq Airport in 1941, followed by Narsarsuaq Airport in 1942.
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Greenland's tourism
Greenland has 13 civil airports (not including the Pituffik Space Base) and 47 helipads, which are operated by the state-owned enterprise Greenland Airport Authority (Mittarfeqarfiit). Air travel is extremely important in Greenland, as there are generally no roads between settlements. The first and largest airport, Kangerlussuaq Airport, was built in 1941, followed by Narsarsuaq Airport in 1942, and was initially used for US defence purposes.
In recent years, Greenland has become an emerging destination for adventurous travellers. The capital, Nuuk, is the main hub for tourism, with most tourists visiting the town and other settlements on the west coast. However, cruises also make stops along the east coast. The opening of Nuuk's new international airport in November 2024 marked the beginning of a series of openings for three Greenlandic airports through to 2026, which will increase accessibility to the country. The new airport will offer direct flights to Copenhagen, Denmark, for the first time, with five weekly flights in winter, increasing to six during the holiday season, and eight in the summer. From March 17, 2025, Air Greenland will also offer direct flights between Kangerlussuaq and Copenhagen. These new flight schedules will reduce costs and logistics for travellers.
There are a variety of activities and attractions for tourists in Greenland. The country is known for its natural wonders, including glaciers, ice fjords, icebergs, and whale-watching. Tourists can engage in outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, and boat tours. Kangerlussuaq is recommended for its icecap and Russell Glacier, while Ilulissat offers ice fjords and boat tours through icebergs. Nuuk is known for its cultural experiences, including boat tours around Nuuk Icefjord and the abandoned settlements of Kangeq and Nordafar. The country also offers unique culinary experiences, such as whale sushi and Thai cuisine.
For those interested in visiting Greenland, it is important to be prepared for unpredictable weather changes and pack accordingly. It is also recommended to book accommodation in advance, especially in popular destinations like Ilulissat. Greenland's official tourism website, Visit Greenland, provides information on travel options, activities, and news. The website is owned by the Government of Greenland and aims to promote the country's adventures and opportunities to potential visitors.
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Greenland's accessibility
Greenland is an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark and is the world's largest island. 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. Several airports with short runways were later built, beginning with Nuuk Airport in 1979 and Ilulissat Airport in 1983. Greenland Airports A/S (aka Greenland International Airports) is the developer and operator of airports in Greenland, founded by the Greenlandic government in 2016.
The new international airport of Nuuk opened on 28 November 2024, marking the beginning of a series of openings for three Greenlandic airports through to 2026. This new airport will have a runway long enough to accommodate modern jets and allow direct flights from travel hubs in Europe and North America for the first time. This includes direct flights between Nuuk and Copenhagen, with five weekly flights in winter, increasing to eight in summer. The new flight schedule will reduce costs and improve logistics, making Greenland more accessible to tourists and business travellers alike.
The additional two airports are set to open by the end of 2026, in Ilulissat and Qaqortoq in South Greenland, allowing travellers to reach most parts of the country within 1.5 hours. Ilulissat is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its massive icebergs and stunning glacial landscapes. The Ilulissat airport expansion is being driven by demand from the local tourism industry, as it serves as the primary gateway for travellers to the region. The new airports will be operated by existing air carriers Air Greenland and Icelandair, but they will also allow opportunities for new airlines and more flights to Greenland.
While Greenland's rugged terrain can present some challenges, the country is becoming increasingly accessible to wheelchair travellers. The Katuaq Cultural Centre in Nuuk is fully accessible, with ramps, elevators, and spacious interiors. The Nuuk Art Museum is also wheelchair accessible, with ramps and elevators, although some exhibit areas may have slightly narrow spaces. Accessible toilets are available within the museum and at nearby public buildings and some cafes. Greenland's capital also offers wide, flat pathways along the Old Harbour, which are relatively easy to navigate, although the cobblestone areas and steps can be challenging.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are airports in Greenland. Nuuk Airport, the country's international airport, opened on November 28, 2024, and was the first of three new airports. The remaining two airports are set to open by the end of 2026 in Ilulissat and Qaqortoq in South Greenland.
The 13 civil airports in Greenland are:
- Kangerlussuaq Airport
- Narsarsuaq Airport
- Kulusuk Airport
- Nerlerit Inaat Airport
- Qaarsut Airport
- Nuuk Airport
- Ilulissat Airport
- Qaqortoq Airport (set to open by the end of 2026)
- Tasiilaq Airport
- Ittoqqortoormiit Airport
- Paamiut Airport
- Sisimiut Airport
- Maniitsoq Airport
Airlines that fly to Greenland include Air Greenland, Icelandair, SAS, and United Airlines.
