New international airport opens in Greenland town of Ilulissat

A new international airport opened on Thursday in Ilulissat, Greenland, after gaining approval from the Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority. Euronews reported that the opening provides direct air access to Disko Bay and North Greenland. Ilulissat is the third-largest town in the territory. [1]

The opening completes a three-airport expansion programme across the country. Operator Greenland Airports described the project as a historic expansion for the territory. International Airport Review also reported that the airport has welcomed its first passengers, while FlightGlobal noted that an Air Greenland A330neo arrived at the site to mark the launch of the new hub. [1][2][4]

The facility is the third new airport to open in Greenland since 2024. Euronews reported that it follows previous airport openings in the capital city of Nuuk in November 2024 and in Qaqortoq in April 2026. [1]

Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark that relies heavily on air and sea transport between its isolated settlements. The island has a population of 56,831 people who are concentrated in five coastal municipalities. [1][8]