Traveling to Greenland Made Easier

Flying to Greenland is set to become easier for US passengers thanks to a new flight route that should significantly reduce the journey time.

Greenland, the world’s largest island, offers many attractions, including dramatic scenery, northern lights, Viking settlements, polar bears, festivals, and whale watching. However, getting there can be a challenge, particularly for US travelers. The current options for direct flights typically involve lengthy transfers and layovers, primarily through Iceland and Denmark.

Fortunately, beginning this summer, a new route operated by Icelandair will provide a more direct connection to the Arctic island, making it easier for travelers from the US and Canada.

Improved Flight Connectivity

Travelers coming from North America usually arrive at Iceland’s Keflavik International Airport and must then travel by car to Reykjavik City Airport to catch a flight to Greenland, which can take an additional three or four hours or even require an overnight stay.

Starting June 1, Icelandair will relocate two of its Greenland flights from Reykjavik City Airport to Keflavik International Airport, flying to Nuuk (Greenland’s capital and largest city) and Ilulissat (home to the Disko Bay icebergs and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site).

This change means that North American travelers can depart for these destinations in Greenland directly from the same airport upon landing in Iceland, thereby avoiding the need to travel across the country.

Moreover, Icelandair has scheduled flights from Greenland to coincide with arrivals and departures from the US and Canada, enhancing the travel experience.

“The Greenland schedule from Keflavik is ideal for US connections,” stated Michael Raucheisen from Icelandair. “The flights to Greenland depart in the early morning after arrivals from the US and Canada, and on the return, they’ll arrive back in Keflavik before departures to the US and Canada.”

Future Aviation Developments

In the coming year, the travel process will be made even more efficient as Greenland completes renovations on airports in Nuuk and Ilulissat to support direct international flights from Europe and North America.

While improved connectivity will undoubtedly benefit Greenland’s economy, there are also concerns regarding the potential impact of increased tourism on the traditional way of life and the fragile environment. Climate change is visibly affecting Greenland, with ice melting faster than at any other time in the past 12,000 years.

During a recent conference hosted by a travel news site, Visit Greenland CEO, Hjörtur Smárason, remarked, “climate change is the big story, and then you need to fly [to Greenland]. It creates this contradiction.”

Despite the challenges of sustainable travel, Smárason indicated that Greenland is working to reimagine tourism with minimal climate impact by investing in local experiences that cherish the environment, including unique attractions like dog-sledding and promoting local food.

Traveling to Greenland by Air

Air Greenland and Icelandair are the primary airlines operating international flights to Greenland. Given the significant distances involved, travelers need to fly directly to their chosen city, as there are no roads or trains connecting towns within Greenland. Visitors wishing to explore multiple destinations can fly domestically with Air Greenland or travel on one of the inter-city passenger ships that operate during the summer months.

Throughout the summer, travelers can take daily flights to Kulusuk, Ilulissat, Nuuk, and Narsarsuaq from Iceland with Icelandair. Flights to Nuuk and Ilulissat will begin departing from Iceland’s international airport starting in June, while services to Narsarsuaq and Kulusuk will continue from Reykjavik domestic airport. In winter, Icelandair primarily serves Kulusuk and Nuuk. Additionally, there are flights from Denmark to Nuuk, Ilulissat, Maniitsoq, and Sisimiut, with approximately 10 weekly services operating from Copenhagen.

The Kangerlussuaq airport is currently undergoing renovations as officials assess its future operations, specifically focusing on whether it will predominantly accommodate domestic or international passengers.