Large aircraft flying into Greenland have long been constrained as to where they can land, forcing travelers from long-haul destinations to fly into a former military base and transfer onto smaller planes to reach the capital and major tourist destinations. That all changed today when Nuuk International Airport (GOH) officially opened to the public with a new runway and terminal building. Opening up Greenland to the world Nuuk International Airport has finally completed a $300 million project to make it accessible to transatlantic and intercontinental flights.
A new 2,200-meter (7,200-foot) runway has been built alongside a shiny new terminal and state-of-the-art Instrument Landing System. The project will connect Greenland's capital, Nuuk, with the rest of the world, decrease travel time, lower costs, reduce emissions from indirect flights, and create new opportunities for local businesses. Speaking to Simple Flying today, the airport's communication director, Mikkel Lund, highlighted the benefits it has for visitors and area residents: "It opens a world of opportunities for the local people to get out and see the world, but also brings the world closer to Greenland.
" The airport can process 800 passengers per hour and welcomed its first flights today. Simple Flying was onboard the first widebody flight to land at the airport, an Air Greenland Airbus A330neo service from Copenhagen Airport (CPH) that touched down to a crowd of over 2,000 people waving flags and waving. Repre.