New international airport in Ilulissat. Photo: Shutterstock Greenland reached a major milestone in its aviation and tourism history yesterday (Thursday, October 29): the new international airport in Ilulissat, in the northwest of the island, opened after receiving final approval from the Danish Aviation and Transport Authority.
The opening marks a significant change in access to one of the world's most extraordinary natural areas and, for the first time, allows direct international flights on larger aircraft to the city, the gateway to Disko Bay and the famous glacial fjord of Ilulissat.
At the center of the project is a new 2,200-meter runway, which will allow the operation of significantly larger aircraft than those that previously served the local airport.
Until now, travelers arriving in the region from abroad were usually required to pass through another airport in Greenland and continue on a domestic flight. Now it is possible to arrive directly from Copenhagen, a move that is expected to shorten the journey and strengthen tourism in the region.
The national airline Air Greenland marked the opening of the port on October 29 with a maiden direct flight from Copenhagen to Ilulissat, using an Airbus A330neo aircraft, known as Tuukkaq.
According to the company's plan, starting in November 2026, regular flights will be operated on the route using Jettime's Boeing 737-800 aircraft, with a basic frequency of weekly flights, on Wednesdays.
During the peak demand periods of Christmas, New Year's Day and during March 2027, additional flights are planned on Mondays.
Air Greenland's new Airbus A320neo, named Unaaq, is expected to enter service in April 2027. During the peak summer season, from mid-June to early September 2027, the company plans to increase operations to up to six direct flights per week between Copenhagen and Ilulissat.
This is a significant upgrade in the options for reaching northern Greenland, an area that has until now been considered relatively challenging in terms of international accessibility.
Ilulissat is located about 250 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle, on the western coast of Greenland, and is best known for the glacial fjord that bears its name, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004.
The fjord is one of the Arctic's most impressive natural sites, with giant glaciers breaking off from the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier and flowing toward the sea. It is one of the world's most active and fastest-moving glaciers, and the area also serves as an important research center for understanding climate change.
Visitors to the area can admire views of giant glaciers, go on a cruise among the ice floes, and experience the unique Arctic nature. The opening of the new airport is expected to make the area more accessible to international tourists and open up additional opportunities to develop local tourism services.
Three new airports are transforming Greenland. The opening of the airport in Ilulissat completes a large-scale infrastructure plan in Greenland, which included the construction of three new airports.
The first, in Nuuk, Greenland's capital, opened in November 2024. The second, in Qaqortoq, opened in April 2026, and has now been joined by the international port in Ilulissat.
According to Jens Lauridsen, CEO of Greenland Airports, the opening of the airport is a historic milestone for North Greenland and the country as a whole.
Lauridsen emphasized that the three new airports fundamentally change both internal connectivity within Greenland and its connection to the world.
The new airport will be operational gradually, with operating hours and air traffic expanding in line with the pace of operational readiness. According to Greenland Airports, the goal is to reach full operation by the summer season of 2027.
Although there are no direct flights from Israel to Greenland, the opening of the line from Copenhagen creates a more convenient option for reaching the north of the island, via a connecting flight from the Danish capital.
Until now, reaching Ilulissat on international flights usually required a transfer through another airport in Greenland. Now, the possibility of reaching the glacier region directly from Copenhagen has opened up.
For travelers looking for special natural destinations, glacier landscapes, and experiences different from traditional tourist destinations, this is a significant development that may make North Greenland a more accessible and sought-after destination in the coming years.