In brief
The new airport opened Thursday in Ilulissat after Danish approval, featuring a 2,200‑metre runway capable of handling large aircraft. Direct services from Copenhagen commenced with Air Greenland's Airbus A330neo, and regular winter flights by Jettime will begin in November. The project is part of a broader program that has upgraded airports in Nuuk and Qaqortoq, boosting tourism and commerce around the Ilulissat Icefjord UNESCO site.
A new international airport opened Thursday in Ilulissat, western Greenland, after receiving approval from Danish aviation authorities, Xinhua reported. The facility features a 2,200‑metre runway that can accommodate large aircraft, enabling direct international links to the third‑largest town in Greenland.
Air Greenland marked the launch with an Airbus A330neo arriving from Copenhagen, establishing a new direct route. Regular winter services will begin in November, initially operated by Jettime with Boeing 737‑800 aircraft, offering a weekly flight on Wednesdays and additional Mondays during selected periods.
Greenland Airports said the airport will expand gradually, aiming for full operation by the summer 2027 season. It completes a three‑airport development program that also opened new airports in Nuuk in November 2024 and Qaqortoq in April 2026.
The upgraded runway and new services are expected to improve transport links and create opportunities for tourism, cargo, and regional business. Ilulissat is known for its icebergs and the nearby Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making the airport a key asset for the region’s economic development.
