The opening of the larger, renovated airport in the capital city of the Arctic country – that is mostly covered in ice – is set to ‘significantly’ boost tourism
The world’s largest island – famed for its snow, Northern Lights and remoteness – has just become slightly less isolated.
A newly revamped international airport opened in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, on November 28 and features an upgraded 2,200-metre runway. This will help connect the Artic territory globally by being able to accommodate larger planes from countries across the world.
From June, there will be nonstop seasonal United Airline flights from Newark, New Jersey that take just over four hours. Other direct flights planned for next summer include from Canada, Iceland and Denmark.
However, holiday seekers in the UK will have to wait a little longer as there are currently no direct flights between here and Greenland, which has around 80% of it covered in ice. At the moment, it takes just over seven hours at best to fly non-direct from Manchester to Kulusuk on the east coast of Greenland – 438 miles from Nuuk on the west coast.
Greenland welcomes around 130,000 visitors annually via cruise ships or flights, a figure expected to rise with increased accessibility, though officials hope it won’t become overwhelming. The new airport is the hub for Air Greenland, operating an Airbus A330neo plane on a route to Copenhagen, Denmark, capable of handling 800 passengers per hour. Flights will also connect Nuuk to Reykjavik in Iceland.
Jens Lauridsen, the boss of Greenland Airports, said the opening of a new facility in Nuuk will significantly boost tourism and the economy and estimates each flight contributing £157,741 ($200,000) to the country’s economy.
Speaking to CNN, he warned tourists that they should not expect a typical holiday experience. “We’re located in the Arctic. You’re in for an adventure when you come here,” he said.
While Anne Nivíka Grødem, the CEO of Visit Greenland, thinks the new airport will have a wider societal impact as well as boosting tourism. She said: “I believe tourism can drive meaningful change,” and that, “it’s about finding the balance between local opportunities, market trends and human aspirations.”
Two more airports are due to open in Greenland by the end of 2026, connecting Ilulissat in the north and Qaqortoq in the south. Yet with roughly 56 miles of paved roads in the country, locals and tourists will still need to fly or take boats to other destinations within Greenland.
Still, these airports will majorly improve travel options. Grødem enthused, “Greenland is not just a destination; it’s an experience that changes how you see the world. Visitors should come with an open mind and a spirit of adventure. The country’s quiet, reflective culture offers a chance to reconnect with nature and yourself.”
