The journey to Greenland is closer than ever thanks to a change

Greenland will become much closer to tourists when the new international airport in the capital Nuuk, with a 2,200m runway, opens on November 28.

The new international airport will allow larger planes to land in Greenland's capital, Nuuk. (Source: CNN)

When most people think of Greenland, they think of the cold, ice, and remoteness of this Arctic island.

Snow and ice are unlikely to change, but from November 28, Greenland will become much closer when a new international airport, with a 2,200m runway, opens in the capital Nuuk.

According to CNN, the new airport will allow larger aircraft to connect the Arctic island to the rest of the world . And starting in June, US carrier United Airlines will offer seasonal non-stop flights from Newark, New Jersey, with an expected flight time of just over four hours.

Currently, about 130,000 tourists visit Greenland each year by cruise ship or plane. That number is expected to increase when the region opens up to tourists, although local officials do not expect a huge increase.

Before the new airport opened, visitors had to fly to smaller cities like Kangerlussuaq in the north or Narsarsuaq in the south if they wanted to reach Greenland by air.

As former US military bases built during World War II, both locations can accommodate larger aircraft.

The new international airport will be home to Air Greenland, which will operate Airbus A330neo aircraft on the route to Copenhagen, Denmark. The airport can handle 800 passengers per hour. Flights will also connect Nuuk with Reykjavik, Iceland.

Jens Lauridsen, CEO of Greenland Airports, said the opening of the new facility in Nuuk will have a major impact on tourism and the economy. The airport operator estimates that each flight will contribute an additional $200,000 to the Greenland economy.

“Tourists should know that they will not have a typical tourist experience when they come to Greenland. We are in the Arctic, and visitors will have an adventure when they come here,” he told CNN.

With more than 400,000 subscribers to her YouTube channel “Q’s Greenland,” Qupanuk Olsen is known as Greenland’s biggest content creator. She plans to be on the first flight to land at the new Nuuk International Airport. “I’m so excited… it’s amazing,” she said.

Anne Nivíka Grødem, CEO of tourism agency Visit Greenland, believes the new airport will boost tourism and bring new opportunities to the region.

Two more airports are expected to open in Greenland by the end of 2026, connecting Ilulissat in the north and Qaqortoq in the south.

With only about 56 miles (90km) of paved roads, locals and tourists still need to fly or boat between different destinations in Greenland. The new airports will significantly facilitate travel.

“Greenland is not just a destination, it is an experience that changes the way you see the world,” says Grødem.

“Visitors should come here with an open mind and a spirit of adventure. The peaceful, profound culture of this place gives you the opportunity to ‘reconnect’ with nature and yourself.”./.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/hanh-trinh-toi-dao-greenland-gan-hon-bao-gio-het-nho-mot-su-thay-doi-5030025.html