Greenland more accessible to tourists. A new airport next to the famous fjord

Last Thursday was a historic day for Greenland - the first international plane was officially welcomed in Ilulissat, the island's third largest city. The machine from Copenhagen gently settled down on the newly built 2.2-kilometer runway.

This is an event that the local community has been waiting for for years, and which - according to the authorities - opens a new chapter in the development of tourism and the economy of this Arctic land.

To Greenland directly from Europe

The port of Ilulissat is the third newly opened airport on the island, after the capital Nuuk and Qaqortoq. Government representatives do not hide the fact that the changes were inspired by the spectacular success of international flights to Nuuk, which were used by over 150,000 passengers over the last year. The number of foreign tourists alone increased by as much as 729 percent.

Everything indicates that Ilulissat will experience a similar wave of interest. Thanks to the new infrastructure, residents and tourists will be able to fly here from Copenhagen - connections will be made mainly on Wednesdays, and even more often during holiday seasons. The Icelandic airline Icelandair has already announced seasonal flights from Keflavík, operated from June to mid-October 2027.

Local needs have also not been forgotten: regional connections will cover cities such as Aasiaat, Qaarsut and Upernavik.

The new port not only simplifies international travel, but also significantly facilitates communication for the island's inhabitants.

A glacier on the horizon: the tourist pearl of Greenland

Ilulissat, not coincidentally called the "gate of the north", is now inhabited by approximately 5,000 people.

The most emotional attraction among visitors to this city is the nearby Sermeq Kujalleq glacier - one of the most active in the world. Its ice is moving at a dizzying pace, reaching up to 40 meters a day. Every year, more than 46 cubic kilometers of ice break off from the main massif, forming majestic icebergs drifting towards the Arctic Sea. This is where the heart of Earth's climatic history beats - the oldest layers of the Greenland ice sheet are about 250,000 years old.

Ilulissat Fjord, due to its unique natural and geological values, was included on the UNESCO world list in 2004. No wonder it is one of the most desirable travel destinations for lovers of nature and Arctic landscapes.

Challenges for the future. Tourism versus climate change

However, the opening of a new port in Ilulissat raises questions about the future of Greenland's most valuable natural areas. The region's popularity is constantly growing, and the priceless nature of the Arctic is becoming more and more exposed to the effects of human activity and ongoing climate change.

Scientists and experts call for further development of infrastructure to be carried out in accordance with the needs of the ecosystem and with respect for local communities.