Greenland, the vast Arctic territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, is set to welcome a new era of tourism with the opening of several international airports. The first of these, the Nuuk International Airport, will soon allow larger aircraft to land in the capital city, paving the way for direct flights from the US and Europe.
The new airport in Nuuk, which is set to open on November 28th, will be a game-changer for the country’s tourism industry. With the ability to accommodate larger planes, Greenland will become more accessible than ever before, with direct flights from Copenhagen and plans for a route from New York next summer. This increased connectivity is expected to boost the local economy, as Greenland looks to diversify beyond its reliance on the public sector and fishing.
In addition to the Nuuk airport, Greenland is also planning to open an international airport in Ilulissat, the country’s most popular tourist destination, in 2026. A new regional airport in Qaqartoq, the largest town in southern Greenland, will also follow. These infrastructure investments, costing over $800 million, have been partly financed by the Danish government, who stepped in after concerns were raised about potential Chinese involvement. While the projects have faced some public skepticism, the government is confident that the new airports will have a “profound” impact on Greenland, bringing both opportunities and challenges as the country navigates the influx of tourists.
