Greenland Opens Ilulissat Airport to Turn Tourism Into Independence Capital

Greenland carried 169 passengers on a 4.5-hour inaugural flight from Copenhagen to Ilulissat on Thursday, opening its second new international airport in two years as it builds an economic case for independence from Denmark. Government-owned Air Greenland operated the Airbus A330neo service to the island's third-largest city.

The airport is the centerpiece of Greenland's push to grow tourism and diversify an economy that still depends on fishing. Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who flew on the inaugural service, called the project "one of the biggest investments" in the island's history.

"If Greenland wants to be independent, we need to have a strong foundation, both economically and in terms of industry and business," Nielsen told the Associated Press before departure.

The promise is economic leverage; the caveat is scale. Greenland counts roughly 56,000 inhabitants, and tourism still contributed less than 5% of GDP in 2024.

Why the airport matters geopolitically

The opening lands in the middle of a sustained geopolitical fight over the territory. U.S. President Donald Trump has pressed to acquire Greenland since his first term, and his repeated threats to seize the island from Denmark, a NATO ally, triggered months of tension within the alliance. In September, Trump signed an agreement with the leaders of Denmark and Greenland to strengthen security in the Arctic and North Atlantic.

Danish Finance Minister Peter Hummelgaard, also on Thursday's flight, said the standoff has weighed on the island. "There's no doubt that it has been a shadow over the entire Kingdom of Denmark, but especially Greenland," he said. "The opening of this new international airport marks, I think, hope and optimism."

Hope, however, is not yet a business case — and the political friction has already cut both ways for the tourism sector.

What changes for travelers?

Ilulissat, the "City of Icebergs," sits on Greenland's western coast, more than 550 kilometers (342 miles) north of the capital, Nuuk, and holds about 5,000 residents. It ranks among the island's most-visited destinations, offering sled dog tours and icefjord cruises in Disko Bay.

Until now, reaching it meant a cruise ship, a small plane from Iceland, or a connection through one of Greenland's hubs — there are no road links between major towns. For decades, the main international gateways were former U.S. military air bases from World War II at Kangerlussuaq and Narsarsuaq, forcing travelers to change to smaller aircraft to reach towns including Ilulissat and Nuuk. A new international airport in Nuuk opened in late 2024.

The new Ilulissat facility includes a 5,000-square-meter (53,820 square feet) terminal and a 2,200-meter (1.37-mile) runway long enough for larger passenger jets. Air Greenland has committed to as many as six weekly Copenhagen–Ilulissat flights during next summer's peak months. Icelandair will fly large jets from its Keflavik hub.

Jens R. Lauridsen, CEO of Greenland Airports, said the company hopes to attract carriers from the U.S. and mainland Europe to serve Ilulissat. United Airlines last year launched a seasonal Nuuk–Newark route, the first direct flight from the U.S. to Greenland by an American airline.

"It's quite wonderful that you can go directly right now," said Kirsten Berthelsen, a 35-year-old Ilulissat resident and student who booked Thursday's flight without realizing it was the inaugural service. "Sometimes it's quite difficult to travel from Nuuk and to other countries."

Direct access removes a barrier; whether demand fills the seats is the unanswered question.

Has the tourism boom arrived?

Not yet, by the numbers. International visitor numbers have grown by at least 65% since 2018, reaching almost 150,000 in 2024 — roughly 2.7 visitors per resident — yet the expected boom has failed to materialize. Infrastructure, including hotel capacity, remains limited.

Carina Ren, an associate professor at Aalborg University who specializes in Arctic tourism, said the Trump standoff actually deterred some American travelers. "I've heard of people canceling their bookings, but also others canceling because they were afraid that perhaps they would not be welcomed," she said, noting many Americans still visit, particularly on cruise ships.

Local officials also worry about the cost of success. Palle Jerimiassen, a former regional mayor, said he fears the city's environment, population and infrastructure could be overwhelmed by too many visitors. "How many can we invite?" he said. "We are welcoming all the tourists, it's a possibility to earn some new money. But we have to be careful."

The test for Ilulissat's runway is straightforward: whether next summer's six weekly flights land enough revenue to move tourism above its current 5% share of the economy.