Ilulissat Opening Completes Greenland's Three Major Airport Projects
The 2,200-meter runway opens direct international service and is expected to support tourism, cargo and regional development across North Greenland.
- On Thursday, October 29, 2026, Ilulissat International Airport opened in Greenland following approval by the Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority. The facility features a new 2,200m runway, replacing the previous 845m runway.
- As the third new airport since 2024, this launch completes Greenland's "historic airport expansion," following Nuuk in November 2024 and Qaqortoq in April 2026. Operator Greenland Airports stated these hubs "form a new backbone" for infrastructure.
- Jettime began operating direct flights between Copenhagen and Ilulissat using a Boeing 737-800, while Air Greenland marked the inaugural service with its Airbus A330neo. Previously, travelers required transfers through Nuuk or Kangerlussuaq.
- Located about 250km north of the Arctic Circle, Ilulissat serves around 5,000 residents and a UNESCO-listed icefjord. CEO Jens Lauridsen called the opening "a historic milestone" for the region.
- Operations will "ramp up gradually" as the airport expands capacity through 2027. By summer 2027, Icelandair plans to introduce three weekly flights between Keflavik and Ilulissat starting June 3.
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Ilulissat opening completes Greenland's three major airport projects
Ilulissat International Airport in Greenland opened on October 29, after final operational approval from the Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority (Trafikstyrelsen). The airport, on Greenland’s west coast about 250km north of the Arctic Circle, has a new 2,200m runway, replacing the previous 845m runway, and a terminal building of approximately 5,000m2 . The airport will be able to welcome larger aircraft and direct international flights f…
The world's largest island is once again a bit more accessible to tourists. On Thursday, October 29, a new international airport opened in Greenland. It is located near the city of Ilulissat, which is also the gateway to Disko Bay. Until now, tourists had to enter the country via Kangerlussuaq, the capital Nuuk or Qaqortoq and continue on regional connections.
The opening of Ilulissat Airport is a "milestone", but further work must be done, says Jens-Frederik Nielsen.
On October 29, Greenland inaugurated its new international airport in the town of Ilulissat, completing a program to expand its aviation network with three new airports within two years.
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