A new international airport in Greenland capital, Nuuk, is set to open soon, enabling larger aircraft to land for the first time and allowing for direct flights from the US and Europe. This marks the first of three airport projects aimed at boosting the Arctic territory’s economy by improving accessibility.
Greenland, an autonomous territory under the Kingdom of Denmark, is a vast, sparsely populated region covered in ice. Nuuk, located on the southwest coast, is a small town of 18,000 people, where modern apartments and colorful wooden cottages overlook a sea fjord. Currently, travelers must take a 35-seat propeller plane to Kangerlussuaq, a former military airfield 200 miles north, to connect to international flights.
Kangerlussuaq and Narsarsuaq in southern Greenland are currently the only runways long enough for large aircraft, but by late November, Nuuk’s new extended runway and terminal will accommodate bigger planes. Direct flights to Nuuk from Copenhagen will begin on November 28, followed by United Airlines flights from New York next summer, positioning Nuuk as Greenland’s primary travel hub.
The airport expansion involves blasting six million cubic meters of rock to extend the runway and installing technology to manage the region’s challenging weather. Construction was hindered by cold conditions and rising costs for explosives due to the war in Ukraine. The three airport projects are estimated to cost over $800 million, partially funded by a Danish loan package following concerns about Chinese investment.
The new infrastructure is expected to significantly impact tourism, mining, and other sectors by making Greenland more accessible. Politicians hope it will strengthen economic diversification in a country that relies heavily on fishing and the public sector. With larger cargo planes soon landing in Nuuk, imports and exports, including fresh seafood, will become more feasible.
The next airport, opening in 2026, will be in Ilulissat, known for its icebergs, followed by a regional airport in Qaqortoq. While there has been public debate about the airports’ costs and environmental impacts, many residents view the projects as necessary for Greenland’s modernization.
Tourism, which grew by 36.5% last year, is projected to benefit the most, with new direct flights drawing more visitors. Greenland’s government plans to introduce a tourism law to manage growth and distribute tourists across different regions to mitigate negative impacts on smaller communities.
