OAG Travel News

Last week, Greenland took another step toward full independence from Denmark with the introduction of increased levels of self governance.  The ceremony was held on June 21 – the date of the summer solstice and Greenland’s national day.  As this historic event unfolded, my thoughts naturally turned to Greenland’s air service.

By area, Greenland is the world’s largest island.  But its population is very small – less than 60,000 inhabitants.  Due to the challenging topography on an island that is more than 80 percent ice capped, there are no roads between towns in Greenland – all urban transport takes place by either sea or air.

Greenland’s Airports
Greenland is home to 20 airports that have scheduled commercial air service, and three airports account for 40 percent of all flights.  Kangerlussuaq Airport (SFJ), located in western Greenland, is the largest airport with over 20 daily flights, accounting for nearly 20 percent of Greenland’s total scheduled flights.  The second-busiest airport in Greenland is Kulusuk Airport (KUS) located on Kulusuk Island.  With nearly 15 daily flights, Kulusuk Airport serves an island with a population of just over 300 people.  Greenland’s capital and largest city Nuuk boasts the island’s third-busiest airport – Nuuk Airport (GOH).

Greenland’s Airlines
Air Greenland is the largest carrier in Greenland, accounting for over 90 percent of total flights.  Three other airlines also provide service to, from and within Greenland – Air Iceland, Icelandair and Atlantic Airways Faroe Islands.

Greenland’s Aircraft
Nearly 45 percent of Greenland’s air service is operated with helicopters.  Most of the remaining service is on turboprop-propelled aircraft including the following types: Dash 7, Dash 8, Super King Air, Twin Otter, Fokker 50 and the Avro regional jet.  Only one widebody aircraft serves Greenland – an Airbus A330-200 operated by Air Greenland.  And Air Greenland operates one narrowbody aircraft – a Boeing 757-200.

Greenland’s Domestic & International Air Service
Ninety percent of Greenland’s air service is domestic, and 99 percent of this domestic service is provided by Air Greenland.  The top city pairs are Kulusuk Island – Tasiilaq with nearly 10 daily flights and Kangerlussuaq – Nuuk with nearly 8 daily flights.

Only two international cities are served nonstop from Greenland – Reykjavik, Iceland, and Copenhagen, Denmark.  Four cities in Greenland have nonstop service to Reykjavik, and two cities have nonstop service to Copenhagen.  Kulusuk Island’s 300 inhabitants have the most international air service of any city in Greenland – two daily flights to Iceland’s capital of Reykjavik.  Nearly 60 pecent of Greenland’s international air service is provided by Air Iceland.

Source: Official Airline Guide (OAG) Schedule Tapes, data for scheduled commercial passenger flight operations for July 2009 unless otherwise noted; Air Transport Intelligence; CIA World Factbook; www.greenland.com; www.eastgreenland.com.

Note: Reykjavik has two airports and both are included in this analysis.

Original article by Laura Jackson