Airports
Greenland: Ilulissat opens an international airport above the Arctic Circle
On 29 October 2026, Greenland opened the new Ilulissat International Airport on Disko Bay. It completes a three-airport programme designed to open the island to direct flights.
By Rédaction··1 min read
A runway three times longer
Ilulissat's old airfield, on Greenland's west coast, had only a short runway for small regional aircraft. The new airport, opened on 29 October 2026, has a runway of about 2,200 metres, nearly three times longer, and a terminal of about 5,000 m².
That length allows jet airliners to land, and therefore direct international flights to northern Greenland, with no mandatory stop at another airport on the island.
The third pillar of a national programme
Ilulissat is the last of three major airport projects launched by Greenland:
| Airport | Opening |
|---|---|
| Nuuk (capital) | 2024 |
| Qaqortoq (south) | 2026 |
| Ilulissat (Disko Bay) | 29 October 2026 |
Until now, most long-haul flights to the island went via Kangerlussuaq, a former military base located inland.
Tourism in focus
Ilulissat lies about 250 km north of the Arctic Circle, close to the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tourism board Visit Greenland sees a new opportunity, while stressing development that respects nature and local communities.
The ramp-up will be gradual: operator Greenland Airports is aiming for full operations by the third quarter of 2027.
Key points
- Opened on 29 October 2026, with a runway of about 2,200 m.
- Last of the three airports in Greenland's programme (Nuuk, Qaqortoq, Ilulissat).
- Full operations targeted for Q3 2027.
Origin and rationale
Origin: operator Greenland Airports and Visit Greenland, as reported by AIN and Euronews (see sources). Why this story: opening on 29 October 2026 of the last airport in Greenland's programme. Written by aeronautique.com, sources accessed on 2 November 2026.
Sources
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