In brief
On Thursday, a new international airport opened in Ilulissat, Greenland, with a 2,200‑metre runway capable of handling large aircraft. The facility, approved by Danish authorities, will start direct Copenhagen flights and aims for full operations by summer 2027 as part of Greenland’s broader airport program. The opening comes after similar launches in Nuuk and Qaqortoq.
On Thursday, a new international airport opened in Ilulissat, western Greenland, marking a key moment in the region’s aviation expansion.
According to Xinhua, the 2,200‑metre runway can accommodate large passenger aircraft, paving the way for direct connections to Copenhagen and improving access to Disko Bay and northern Greenland.
The announcement came from Greenland Airports, who said the Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority granted final approval overnight after months of inspections and a test flight. An Air Greenland Airbus A330neo arrived from Copenhagen to launch the route.
Regular winter services will begin in November on Boeing 737‑800 aircraft operated by Jettime, with flights on Wednesdays and occasional Monday departures during peak periods. Greenland Airports says operations will expand gradually toward full service in summer 2027.
The airport’s opening completes a three‑airport development programme, following the February 2024 opening in Nuuk and the April 2026 opening in Qaqortoq. The operator notes that the new facilities will create opportunities for tourism, cargo and regional business.
Ilulissat is famed for its glaciers and the nearby Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making the new air link a boost for visitors eager to see the icebergs in situ.
