Sitting in the frozen Arctic between Europe and North America, Greenland does not feature in many people’s list of holiday destinations.
The world’s biggest island, which is part of the Kingdom of Denmark despite enjoying home rule, boasts a population of around 56,000 people scattered across a handful of settlements along its east and western coasts.
Travelling to the Arctic island, dominated by glaciers, has usually been an expensive venture for tourists – with most flights and ships running on domestic routes with the exception of limited flights from Copenhagen and Reykjavik, the capitals of Denmark and nearby Iceland.
As many airports on the island are former military airstrips or built specifically for domestic travel there were few options for larger passenger aircraft to land.
Now however the newly refurbished airport at Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, has opened following an extensive refurbishment.
Previously airlines flying to Nuuk had to land larger aircraft at Kangerlussaq, further away from the capital.
Opening in late November, the refurbished airport includes a new terminal building and an extended runway.
Over the next year, more international destinations will become accessible.
These will include services to other cities in Denmark including Aalborg and Billund – as well as to Iqaluit in Canada.
United Airlines is also set to introduce a flight from Newark Airport in New York, Greenland’s first direct scheduled passenger flight to the USA.
A spokesperson for the Greenlandic Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: “Today is a joyful day, as the first transatlantic flight landed at the new international airport in Nuuk.
“New routes are already in place & planned, among others to New York.
“We are excited and look forward to welcoming tourists to our beautiful country.”
The island offers stunning nature, including icebergs and glaciars, as well as the chance to see the midnight sun as well as hiking options near the settlements.
Excursions from Nuuk include whale-watching and helicopter rides.
