Saturday, August 24, 2024 Greenland, the world’s largest island, is setting the stage for a new chapter in its tourism story. With a population of just under 57,000 spread across a landmass of over 2 million square kilometers, the island is known for its dramatic landscapes, rich wildlife, and unique Arctic environment. Now, Greenland is keen to attract more tourists, but with a clear focus on sustainable growth.
As the island opens a new international airport in Nuuk, the capital, it is also taking measures to avoid the pitfalls of overtourism, which have affected other destinations like its neighbor, Iceland. The new international airport in Nuuk, set to open on November 28, 2025, marks a significant development in Greenland’s infrastructure. Until now, most international flights to Greenland have landed at Kangerlussuaq, a former U.
S. military base, with travelers needing to take a connecting flight to Nuuk. The new airport in Nuuk, located on a peninsula on the southwest coast, will make direct access to the capital more feasible for travelers from around the world.
The airport features a runway more than double the length of the city’s previous one, along with a spacious and modern terminal building. This new facility will allow the national carrier, Air Greenland, to connect Nuuk directly with major cities like Copenhagen and potentially new destinations in Canada and beyond. The airport’s development is a critical step in Greenland’s strategy to grow its tour.