Greenland opens a new international airport as it looks toward independence

Length of the new runway

2,200 metres

The first international flight from Copenhagen landed in Ilulissat last Thursday. The airport's new runway is long enough for large passenger aircraft.

If Greenland wants to be independent, we need to have a strong foundation, both economically and in terms of industry and business.

— Jens-Frederik Nielsen, Greenland's prime minister

Background

The island of about 56,000 people faced months of threats from President Donald Trump to take it from Denmark. In September, Trump signed an Arctic security agreement with the leaders of Denmark and Greenland.

International visitors in 2024

150,000 visitors

International visitors have grown by at least 65 per cent since 2018, to almost 150,000 in 2024. Tourism still made up less than five per cent of the territory's economy that year.