In brief
A new international airport in Ilulissat, Greenland, opened Thursday after Danish aviation approval, featuring a 2,200‑metre runway that can accommodate large aircraft. The first direct flight from Copenhagen landed an Airbus A330neo to inaugurate the route, and regular winter services by Jettime will begin in November. Greenland Airports aims to bring full operations by summer 2027, expanding a program that has already seen new airports in Nuuk and Qaqortoq.
A new international airport opened Thursday in Ilulissat, western Greenland, according to a report from Xinhua and the Danish aviation authority. The facility, approved by the Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority, features a 2,200‑metre runway that can accommodate large passenger aircraft, enabling direct international connections from Copenhagen to Greenland’s third‑largest town.
The 2,200‑metre runway allows wide‑body aircraft to land and take off, a first for Ilulissat. Greenland Airports said the stretch could host large passenger planes, improving connectivity to Disko Bay and northern Greenland.
The Danish authority granted final approval overnight after months of inspections and a test flight. An Air Greenland Airbus A330neo arrived from Copenhagen on Thursday to mark the launch of the direct Copenhagen‑Ilulissat route, opening a new bridge between the Arctic region and Europe.
Regular winter services will begin on November 12, initially operated by Jettime with Boeing 737‑800 aircraft. Flights will mainly depart once a week on Wednesdays, with additional Monday departures during selected periods.
Greenland Airports said the new facilities would improve transport links and create opportunities for tourism, cargo and regional business. It is part of a larger airport development program that included new airports in Nuuk in November 2024 and Qaqortoq in April 2026, and the operator aims for full operation by summer 2027.
Ilulissat is known for its icebergs and the nearby Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The new airport is expected to boost tourism to the area and support economic development in the region.
