Greenland’s new international airport in Ilulissat officially opened on Thursday, marking the completion of a major airport expansion programme designed to improve the island’s connections with international destinations and support tourism and economic development across the Arctic territory.
The opening follows approval by the Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority and represents the third new airport to become operational in Greenland since 2024. According to airport operator Greenland Airports, the Ilulissat facility completes what it describes as a historic expansion of the country’s aviation infrastructure.
Ilulissat is Greenland’s third-largest town and an important centre for communities and tourism in the country’s northern region. Its new airport is expected to make the destination more accessible to international travellers, particularly those interested in visiting Disko Bay and the nearby UNESCO-listed Ilulissat Icefjord.
The airport is the final facility in a three-airport expansion programme that began with the opening of Nuuk’s new international airport in November 2024, followed by Qaqortoq in April 2026. Together, the three airports are intended to create a stronger transport network, improving connections between Greenland’s towns while making international travel to the island easier.
Jens Lauridsen, chief executive of Greenland Airports, described the opening as a historic milestone for Ilulissat, North Greenland and the country as a whole.
He said the three new airports in Ilulissat, Nuuk and Qaqortoq would fundamentally change how Greenland is connected internally and how it links with the rest of the world.
One of the most important features of the new Ilulissat Airport is its 2,200-metre runway, which can accommodate larger aircraft and makes direct international flights possible. Previously, reaching Ilulissat from many international destinations involved additional connections through other airports.
The opening has already brought a significant change to the town’s international flight connections. On the same day the airport officially opened, Air Greenland launched a direct service between Ilulissat and Copenhagen, giving travellers a more straightforward connection between Denmark and North Greenland.
Air Greenland will also continue operating domestic services linking Ilulissat with destinations including Nuuk, Aasiaat, Qaarsut and Upernavik. These connections are important for residents and businesses that depend on air transport to travel between communities across Greenland.
The regular winter flight schedule for the Copenhagen route begins in November. Initially, the service will be operated by Jettime using a Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Flights are expected to operate mainly on Wednesdays, with additional Monday departures scheduled around Christmas and New Year, as well as in March.
Icelandair is also planning to introduce a seasonal connection between Keflavik and Ilulissat from 3 June to 16 October 2027. The service will provide another international route into the destination, potentially making travel from Iceland and other connecting markets more convenient.
Although the airport has opened, its operations will expand gradually. Greenland Airports said opening hours and airport activity would increase in phases, with the objective of making the facility fully operational by the summer 2027 travel season.
The infrastructure investment is expected to have implications beyond international passenger travel. Better airport access could support cargo transportation, business activity and the development of tourism services in Ilulissat and surrounding communities.
Ilulissat’s location gives the airport particular importance for Greenland’s tourism industry. Situated on the country’s west coast, approximately 250 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, the town overlooks Disko Bay, an area known for its enormous icebergs and dramatic Arctic scenery.
The nearby Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of Greenland’s best-known natural attractions. Its enormous ice formations and active glacier draw visitors interested in Arctic landscapes, nature and expedition-style travel. Direct international flights could make it easier for visitors to reach the area without first travelling through another Greenlandic city.
The airport development has received partial funding from Denmark as part of wider efforts to improve Greenland’s transport infrastructure. However, its long-term value will depend on how effectively the improved connections support local communities, businesses and tourism operators.
Jens Wittrup Willumsen, chairman of the board of Greenland Airports, said infrastructure investment should be viewed over decades rather than measured only by its immediate impact.
He said the three new airports provide a foundation for future generations, adding that the next priority is to ensure the facilities benefit the wider country, including towns and settlements around the airports.
With Ilulissat now joining Nuuk and Qaqortoq as part of Greenland’s expanded airport network, the country has completed an important stage in its efforts to improve accessibility. For international travellers, the most immediate change is the ability to fly directly into one of the Arctic’s most recognised destinations. For Greenland, the larger challenge will be turning that improved access into lasting benefits for its communities and economy.
