Greenland Airports has officially opened the new Nuuk International Airport (GOH), ushering in a “new era” of connectivity for Greenland.
The Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority (Trafikstyrelsen) approved the airport's operations just hours before Air Greenland’s Airbus A330neo landed on the newly constructed 2,200-m (6,560-ft.) runway at 12:35 p.m. local time on Nov. 28.
“This is a truly historic milestone that will create a world of new opportunities for the entire country, as it will, for the first time, enable direct flights across the Atlantic to the nation’s capital,” Greenland Airports CEO Jens Lauridsen said.
Nuuk’s upgraded facilities include a modern terminal building, which was completed earlier this year, along with the new runway, which is suitable for larger aircraft arriving from North America and Europe. The development also positions Nuuk as Air Greenland’s primary hub, enabling the flag carrier to transition to a hub-and-spoke model for regional and international connections.
According to OAG Schedules Analyser data, Air Greenland initially plans to operate flights to eight domestic destinations using De Havilland Canada Dash-8 aircraft. The airline will also offer 2X-weekly service to Reykjavik Keflavik Airport (KEF) with Dash-8s and 5X-weekly flights to Copenhagen Airport (CPH) using 305-seater A330-800s. Service to Billund, Denmark, is scheduled to begin in March 2025, with Aalborg, Denmark, joining the network in June.
Air Greenland CEO Jacob Nitter Sørensen described the airport as a “game-changer” for the territory, opening up the potential for new destinations and increased capacity that will boost economic growth, tourism and exports.
“Imagine leaving London in the morning and enjoying the northern lights in Nuuk by evening,” Sørensen said. “Or leaving Nuuk in the morning to savor French cuisine in Paris the same night. Today marks the start of a new era for Greenland.”
Until now, most international flights to Greenland have arrived in Kangerlussuaq, with passengers taking connecting flights to Nuuk. Cruise passengers have typically traveled from Reykjavik or Canada’s Arctic regions to reach Greenland. However, work to redevelop Nuuk and two other airports—Ilulissat and Qaqortoq—has been ongoing for the past six years.
Greenland Airports hopes the opening of Nuuk will attract more international airlines. Icelandair intends to serve KEF-GOH twice a week using Dash-8s through the winter 2024-25 season, before growing to 3X-weekly in summer 2025 and switching to Boeing 737-8 aircraft in June.
Additionally, United Airlines will introduce nonstop service between its New York’s Newark Liberty International Airport hub and GOH from June 15, operating 2X-weekly using 737-8s. It will become the sole nonstop connection between the U.S. and Greenland.
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) will also commence a CPH-GOH route from June 25, marking the SkyTeam alliance member’s return to Greenland after more than two decades. The seasonal flights will be 3X-weekly using A320neos until late August. Charter operator Airseven will also fly to Nuuk from Aalborg from June 12 through Sept. 1 using 737-800s.
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