Friday, October 30, 2026 • 4:00 AM UTC - in Denmark

The opening of Ilulissat Airport is a "milestone," but further work is needed, says Jens-Frederik Nielsen.

Thursday was a big day in Ilulissat. The red ribbon was cut for the third phase of Greenland's largest infrastructure project ever. First came Nuuk Airport, then Qaqortoq Airport, and on Thursday it was time to open Ilulissat Airport. This happened when the airport received its first transatlantic flight directly from Copenhagen Airport. On board were, among others, the Premier of Greenland, Jens Frederik Nielsen, and Denmark's Minister of Finance, Peter Hummelgaard. For the occasion, Jens Frederik Nielsen also acted as a flight attendant on the plane, as shown in a story Peter Hummelgaard shared on Instagram.

(Photo: © Screenshot from Peter Hummelgaard's Instagram.)

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A milestone

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The opening was celebrated with singing and speeches in the terminal when the flight from Copenhagen landed. Peter Hummelgaard used his speech to highlight the importance of Greenland's major infrastructure project and the difference it makes. "The airport also brings the Unity of the Realm closer together. In recent years, Greenland and Denmark have come closer to each other," the Minister of Finance said in his speech, according to the Greenlandic media Sermitsiaq (https://www.sermitsiaq.ag/samfund/finansminister-lufthavnen-knytter-os-taettere-sammen/2441844). Jens-Frederik Nielsen called the opening a "historic day" and a "milestone" for North Greenland in his speech. "We must continue to pursue greater connectivity across the entire country. This is a big step, but we must constantly work to connect the country more, because it will create growth in the long term," said Jens-Frederik Nielsen according to KNR (https://knr.gl/da/nyheder/det-foerste-atlantfly-er-nu-landet-i-ilulissat). The celebration concluded with a gala dinner in Ilulissat.

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