Greenland Opens New Airports to Boost Connectivity and Tourism
Greenland is set to open its first international airport in the capital, Nuuk, marking a major milestone in the Arctic territory’s connectivity to the rest of the world. As of November 28, 2024, the new airport will allow large aircraft to land for the first time, facilitating direct flights from both the United States and Europe. This airport is part of a broader plan to enhance Greenland’s infrastructure and economy, with two additional international airports slated to open in the coming years.
Transforming Greenland’s Connectivity
Currently, only small planes can operate from Nuuk’s existing airport, which requires passengers traveling abroad to make a lengthy detour through Kangerlussuaq—a remote former military airfield located 200 miles (319 km) north of the capital. The new international airport, equipped with a longer runway and modern terminal facilities, will eliminate this need, enabling direct flights to and from major cities like Copenhagen and New York.
With flights from Copenhagen already scheduled and United Airlines planning routes from New York next summer, Nuuk is set to become Greenland’s main travel hub. "We have been shut from the whole world, and now we're going to open to the world," said an excited young resident of Nuuk.
Economic Impact and New Opportunities
Greenland's leaders and business community anticipate that the new airports will bring substantial economic benefits. Jens Lauridsen, CEO of Greenland Airports, believes the project will lead to a significant uptick in tourism and a wide range of economic opportunities. “I’m sure we will see a lot of tourism, and we'll see a lot of change,” Lauridsen said.
In addition to the new international airport in Nuuk, a second airport is expected to open in 2026 in Ilulissat, Greenland’s most popular tourist destination, known for its breathtaking icebergs. A regional airport is also planned for Qaqortoq, Greenland's largest town in the southern region.
Enhancing Greenland’s Infrastructure
Greenland’s new airport infrastructure will play a crucial role in boosting tourism and diversifying its economy, which has long relied on fishing and the public sector. Politicians and business leaders are optimistic that better connectivity will facilitate growth in sectors like mining and tourism. Minister of Business, Trade, and Mineral Resources, Naaja Nathanielsen, highlighted how the ease of travel will also strengthen bilateral relations with other nations.
Larger cargo planes will also be able to land in Nuuk, opening up new possibilities for the import and export of goods. Polar Seafoods, a leading Greenlandic company, is looking forward to the new airport enabling the export of fresh seafood, in addition to their current frozen products. “We’re looking into doing more fresh seafood,” said Michael Binzer, chairperson of Polar Seafoods.
Environmental and Financial Challenges
The construction of the three airports, costing over $800 million (£615 million), has faced a number of challenges, including cold Arctic conditions and a limited summer season for construction work. Complications arising from the war in Ukraine also drove up the costs of materials like explosives. The project has been partly financed by Denmark, which provided more affordable loan terms than Chinese investors, who had initially shown interest.
Despite some public skepticism about the costs and potential environmental impact, the overall sentiment in Greenland is largely supportive of the project. "This is an airport for a modern Greenland," said Nuuk resident Karen Motzfeldt, though she noted the inevitable divide in public opinion when it comes to large infrastructure projects.
A New Era of Tourism
Tourism in Greenland has already seen a dramatic increase, with visitor numbers rising by 36.5% in 2023. With more flight options now available, these numbers are expected to grow even further. However, Greenlandic officials are keen to balance tourism growth with sustainable development. Minister Nathanielsen emphasized that a new tourism law is being introduced this autumn to manage the influx of visitors and protect Greenland’s unique environment.
“We are already in a tourist boom, and feeling how tourism can affect smaller places in a good way, but also negatively,” said Nathanielsen. "We really want to try to welcome tourists in the bigger cities, but we also want to spread them out more."