Published on : 30 Oct 2026

Greenland’s New Ilulissat Airport Opens: Direct Copenhagen Flights, a 2,200m Runway and What It Means for Visiting the Icefjord

TRENDING: GREENLAND’S NEW ILULISSAT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT OPENED ON THURSDAY OCT 29, COMPLETING THE COUNTRY’S THREE-AIRPORT EXPANSION. AIR GREENLAND FLEW THE FIRST DIRECT COPENHAGEN FLIGHT ON AN AIRBUS A330NEO, AND ICELANDAIR PLANS SUMMER 2027 FLIGHTS FROM KEFLAVIK. THE GATEWAY TO THE UNESCO ICEFJORD IS NOW MUCH EASIER TO REACH.

Published: October 30, 2026

Ilulissat, Greenland’s best-known tourist town, now has an airport that can take jets. It sits beside the UNESCO-listed Ilulissat Icefjord and is the main gateway to Disko Bay, known for icebergs and whale watching.

What Opened

Item	Detail
Opened	Thursday October 29, 2026
Runway	2,200 m (7,200 ft), replacing an old runway of about 845 m
Terminal	About 5,000 sq m, able to handle larger aircraft and direct international flights
First flights	An Air Greenland flight from Nuuk arrived first. Air Greenland then flew a new direct Copenhagen route with an Airbus A330-800neo (“Tuukkaq”)
Old airfield	Closed
Operator	Greenland Airports, formed in 2024
Status	Greenland Airports targets full operations by summer 2027 (Aviation A2Z)

The airport was originally due to open in 2024. Construction delays pushed it back two years (ArcticToday). It is the third new Greenland airport in under two years, after Nuuk (November 2024) and Qaqortoq (April).

Premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen told residents: “Many people have worked for a long time to get to this day.” To those who endured construction, he said: “Today, the airport is yours.”

The Flights

Winter 2026/27 (Air Greenland)

Item	Detail
Direct Copenhagen–Ilulissat	One flight a week, on Wednesdays
Extra departures	Mondays and Wednesdays over Christmas and New Year, and from Mar 1 to 27, 2027
Operator	Jettime flies the route with a Boeing 737-800 (180 seats) until Air Greenland’s A320neo “Unaaq” arrives in spring 2027
Other days	Travel via Nuuk, with Ilulissat–Nuuk connections to Copenhagen flights on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays

Air Greenland says tickets are on sale through its website and Club Timmisa. Sources give different Jettime start dates, with one saying it begins flying on Nov 2. Confirm your exact dates with Air Greenland.

Summer 2027

Air Greenland plans up to six direct flights a week between Copenhagen and Ilulissat from mid-June to early September (Aviation A2Z, ArcticToday).
Icelandair plans three weekly flights between Keflavik and Ilulissat from June 3 to October 16, 2027 (ArcticToday). This gives North American travellers a connection through Iceland.

Connections within Greenland

Air Greenland lists same-day Copenhagen connections from Aasiaat on Wednesdays, and from Uummannaq and Qaarsut on Mondays from Mar 1. Upernavik travellers heading to Copenhagen must overnight in Ilulissat, and Qaanaaq has no same-day connection.

Why It Matters for Travellers

Before: travellers flew to Nuuk or Kangerlussuaq and took a domestic connection to Ilulissat.
Now: a direct Copenhagen flight on selected days, and a summer 2027 link from Iceland.
For US and Canadian readers: no direct US or Canada routes are announced. Reaching Ilulissat means connecting in Copenhagen or, from June 2027, Keflavik.
For UK and European readers: Copenhagen is the main route. Check connections from your airport on one ticket.
For tourism: Visit Greenland CEO Linda Kleist said it “marks another important milestone”, and stressed that “infrastructure alone does not create lasting value”, calling for support for local businesses and tourism that respects nature and culture.

What to Do in the Region

Ilulissat Icefjord: a UNESCO World Heritage site beside the town.
Disko Bay: icebergs and, in season, whale watching.
Travel dates matter. Winter flights are limited, and daylight, weather and tours vary by season. Check with tour operators before you plan.

Before You Book: Checklist

✓ Confirm the flight day and aircraft with Air Greenland (airgreenland.com) or Icelandair ✓ Book Copenhagen and onward connections on one ticket ✓ Check Greenland and Denmark entry requirements for your passport before you travel ✓ Allow buffer for weather. Arctic flights can be delayed or cancelled ✓ Check your travel insurance for weather and remote-area cover ✓ Book accommodation and tours early. Winter capacity is limited ✓ Note that Icelandair’s Ilulissat flights are summer 2027 only

Your Rights (Brief)

Flights departing the EU, including Copenhagen: EU261 may apply to cancellations and long delays, with compensation depending on the cause. Weather is generally an extraordinary circumstance.
Other flights: Greenland’s rules and the airline’s conditions apply. Keep your booking and receipts.
Separate tickets: the airline is not responsible for connections you booked separately.

For More Resources

Air Greenland (airgreenland.com); Icelandair (icelandair.com); Jettime
Greenland Airports; Visit Greenland
Your government’s travel advice for Greenland and Denmark

Posted By : Vinay

As a lead contributor for Travel Tourister, Vinay is dedicated to serving our Tier 1 audience (US, UK, Canada, Australia). His mission is to deliver precise, fact-checked news and actionable, data-driven articles that empower readers to make informed decisions, minimize travel risks, and maximize their adventure without compromising safety or budget.

Editorial Disclaimer

This article is provided for general informational purposes only and is based on information available at the time of publication. Travel advisories, airline schedules, airport operations, visa requirements, government regulations, and other travel-related information are subject to change without prior notice. While Travel Tourister makes reasonable efforts to verify information using official announcements, government publications, airline and airport communications, and other reliable sources, we cannot guarantee that all information remains complete, accurate, or up to date at all times. Readers should independently verify any information that may affect their travel plans with the relevant airline, airport authority, government agency, embassy, or other official source before making travel, financial, or other decisions. Travel Tourister shall not be liable for any direct or indirect loss, inconvenience, or damages arising from the use of or reliance on the information contained in this article. Nothing in this publication constitutes legal, immigration, financial, or professional travel advice. If you believe any information in this article is inaccurate or outdated, please contact our editorial team. We review all credible correction requests promptly and update our content whenever appropriate.

Lastest News

Greenland’s New Ilulissat Airport Opens: Direct Copenhagen Flights, a 2,200m Runway and What It Means for Visiting the Icefjord