Air Greenland

Air Greenland

ICAO: GRL IATA: GL Active Jun 1, 2026
103
Routes
1121
Flights
48
Destinations
34
Origins

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264

Avg Route Distance (mi)

2203

Longest Route (mi)

0

Domestic Routes

100

International Routes

About Air Greenland

Air Greenland A/S is the flag carrier of Greenland, established on November 7, 1960, as Grønlandsfly. It was founded by Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) and Kryolitselskabet Øresund, a Danish mining company, with the initial goal of providing transport and logistics for American radar bases and cryolite operations in Greenland. Over the years, the Greenlandic Government also became an owner, and the company was rebranded as Air Greenland in 2002.

The airline's primary domestic and international hub is Nuuk Airport, with Ilulissat Airport also serving as a focus city. Air Greenland operates a diverse fleet adapted to the challenging Arctic environment, which includes an Airbus A330-800neo for transatlantic flights, and De Havilland Canada DHC-8-200 aircraft for its domestic fixed-wing network. Additionally, it operates a significant number of helicopters, such as H155, H225, and AS350 models, crucial for connecting remote settlements. The airline is also set to introduce an Airbus A320neo to its fleet in December 2026.

Air Greenland boasts an extensive route network of approximately 70 connections, serving 14 airports and 42 heliports within Greenland. Internationally, it provides year-round transatlantic services to Copenhagen Airport in Denmark and Keflavík International Airport in Iceland. Seasonal international routes include Billund and Aalborg in Denmark, and Iqaluit in Canada. Given the lack of roads connecting towns in Greenland, Air Greenland serves as a vital transportation lifeline for the country. Onboard, passengers can choose between Economy Class (Standard) and Premium Class on transatlantic flights. Premium Class passengers benefit from larger seats, hot meals, personal video screens, in-seat power, amenity kits, lounge access at Copenhagen Airport, priority boarding, and priority baggage claim. All fixed-wing flights offer complimentary snacks and drinks. The airline also provides charter services for tourism, scientific exploration, and search and rescue missions.

Traveler Reviews

What Travelers Love:

  • Friendly and Professional Staff: Many passengers consistently praise the helpfulness, commitment, and friendliness of both the cabin crew and ground staff.
  • Good Onboard Service and Food: Travelers frequently highlight the quality of the in-flight meals, especially on transatlantic flights, along with the complimentary drinks and overall attentive service.
  • Modern and Comfortable Aircraft (A330neo): The new Airbus A330-800neo is often commended for being a modern, comfortable, and quiet aircraft, offering a good in-flight entertainment system and Wi-Fi.
  • Stunning Views: The unique flight paths over Greenland offer breathtaking panoramic scenery, which many travelers find to be a highlight of their journey.

Common Complaints:

  • Frequent Delays/Cancellations due to Weather: A recurring concern among travelers is the high frequency of flight delays and cancellations, which are often attributed to Greenland's unpredictable and harsh weather conditions, including sudden fog.
  • Poor Customer Service (Handling Irregularities): Some reviews indicate dissatisfaction with communication during delays or cancellations, citing inconsistent information and difficulties in rebooking or obtaining refunds.
  • Basic Domestic Aircraft and Amenities: Passengers note that the Dash 8 aircraft used for domestic flights are basic, older, have tighter seating, and offer limited entertainment or service compared to the larger A330neo.
  • High Prices: Domestic flights within Greenland are often considered expensive, largely due to the high costs associated with airport construction and lower demand in the region.
  • Baggage Issues: There have been reports of damaged luggage and issues with the airline's assistance in resolving such damage.

Overall Sentiment Summary:

The general sentiment toward Air Greenland is largely positive concerning its essential role in connecting Greenland's communities and the quality of service on its international flights, particularly with the newer Airbus A330neo. However, travelers strongly emphasize the necessity of being flexible due to frequent weather-related disruptions, which remain a primary source of passenger frustration.

Safety Information

Air Greenland maintains an overall good safety record, particularly given the challenging operational environment in the Arctic. The airline is IOSA registered and is not listed on the European Union (EU) flight ban list, indicating adherence to international safety standards.

While Air Greenland is recognized for prioritizing safety and often delays or cancels flights due to adverse weather or mechanical concerns, it has experienced some notable incidents throughout its history:

  • On August 29, 1961, a DHC-3 Otter crashed near Kangerlussuaq due to an in-flight fire caused by a fuel leak, resulting in one fatality.
  • A PBY Catalina flying boat crashed during landing at Nuuk Airport on May 12, 1962, leading to 15 fatalities.
  • On October 25, 1973, an S-61N helicopter crashed south of Nuuk, killing 15 people.
  • More recently, on January 29, 2014, Air Greenland Flight 3205, a Dash 8-Q202, was involved in a runway excursion accident at Ilulissat Airport. The left main landing gear collapsed upon landing in gusting crosswind conditions, leading the aircraft to skid off the runway and fall down a slope. Four passengers sustained minor injuries, but there were no fatalities. The aircraft was destroyed.
  • On May 23, 2023, the airline's Airbus A330-800neo, named "Tuukkaq," was damaged in a ground collision with an SAS aircraft at Copenhagen Airport while being towed.

Air Greenland has been actively modernizing its fleet. It has replaced older aircraft like the Dash 7s with Dash 8s and its A330-200 with the state-of-the-art A330-800neo, which features Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines known for advanced technology. The airline is also replacing older Bell 212 helicopters with H155s and has replaced S-61 helicopters with H225s. No specific safety awards or recognitions were found in the available information.

Compiled by AirportRoutes.com • Updated 2 months ago

Route Network Map

Click on any airport to see its routes

Most Popular Routes

GOH → JAV
Nuuk International Airport → Ilulissat (Jakobshavn)
350 miles
138 flights
DH8B
GOH → JHS
Nuuk International Airport → Sisimiut (Holsteinsborg)
200 miles
64 flights
DH8B
56 flights
DH8B
56 flights
DH8B
48 flights
DH8B
CNP → OBY
Neerlerit Inaat Airport → Ittoqqortoormiit Heliport (Scoresbysund Heliport)
24 miles
48 flights
AS50
GOH → SFJ
Nuuk International Airport → Sondre Stromfjord
197 miles
45 flights
DH8B
44 flights
A338
UAK → JJU
Narsarsuaq Airport → Qaqortoq Heliport (Julianehab Heliport)
37 miles
43 flights
EC55
JQA → UMD
Qaarsut Airport → Uummannaq Heliport
14 miles
36 flights
EC55

Top Destinations

JAV (BGJN)
Ilulissat (Jakobshavn)
Ilulissat (Jakobshavn)
209 flights
9 routes
GOH (BGGH)
Nuuk
Nuuk (Godthab)
142 flights
14 routes
JHS (BGSS)
Sisimiut (Holsteinsborg)
Sisimiut (Holsteinsborg)
103 flights
4 routes
JEG (BGAA)
Aasiaat
Aasiaat (Egedesminde
72 flights
6 routes
UAK (BGBW)
Narsarsuaq
Narsarsuaq (Narssarssuaq)
71 flights
4 routes
JSU (BGMQ)
Maniitsoq
Maniitsoq (Sukkertoppen)
60 flights
2 routes
SFJ (BGSF)
Sondre Stromfjord
Kangerlussuaq (Sondre Stromfjord)
59 flights
3 routes
JJU (BGJH)
Qaqortoq Heliport (Julianehab Heliport)
Qaqortoq (Julianehab)
50 flights
4 routes
OBY (BGSC)
Ittoqqortoormiit Heliport (Scoresbysund Heliport)
Ittoqqortoormiit (Scoresbysund)
48 flights
1 route
CPH (EKCH)
Copenhagen
Copenhagen
44 flights
1 route

Top Origin Airports

GOH (BGGH)
Nuuk International Airport
Nuuk
522 flights
17 routes
UAK (BGBW)
Narsarsuaq Airport
Narsarsuaq
82 flights
5 routes
SFJ (BGSF)
Kangerlussuaq International Airport
Kangerlussuaq
57 flights
5 routes
JAV (BGJN)
Ilulissat Airport
Ilulissat
57 flights
13 routes
JUV (BGUK)
Upernavik Airport
Upernavik
55 flights
9 routes
CNP (BGCO)
Neerlerit Inaat Airport
Neerlerit Inaat
48 flights
1 route
JQA (BGUQ)
Qaarsut Airport
Uummannaq
46 flights
2 routes
JHS (BGSS)
Sisimiut Airport
Sisimiut
45 flights
3 routes
JEG (BGAA)
Aasiaat Airport
Aasiaat
44 flights
9 routes
JSU (BGMQ)
Maniitsoq Airport
Maniitsoq
29 flights
2 routes

Top Border Crossing Flights

GOH (BGGH)
Nuuk International Airport
Nuuk (Godthab), GL
142 flights
14 routes
CPH (EKCH)
Copenhagen Kastrup Airport
Copenhagen, DK
44 flights
1 route

Longest Routes

CPH → GOH
Copenhagen Kastrup Airport → Nuuk
2203 mi
GOH → CPH
Nuuk International Airport → Copenhagen
2203 mi
BLL → GOH
Billund Airport → Nuuk
2095 mi
THU → GOH
Pituffik Space Base → Nuuk
932 mi
NAQ → JUV
Qaanaaq Airport → Upernavik
875 mi

Shortest Routes

JEG → QCU
Aasiaat Airport → Akunaq Heliport
11 mi
JAV → XIQ
Ilulissat Airport → Ilimanaq Heliport
11 mi
JUV → AOQ
Upernavik Airport → Aappilattoq (Qaasuitsup) Heliport
13 mi
JEG → QJE
Aasiaat Airport → Kitsissuarsuit Heliport
13 mi
JQA → UMD
Qaarsut Airport → Uummannaq Heliport
14 mi

All Routes

103 Total Routes
Showing 25 most popular routes
Route Destination Flights Distance Aircraft Last Seen
GOH → JAV Ilulissat (Jakobshavn)
Ilulissat (Jakobshavn)
138 350 mi DH8B Jun 1, 2026
GOH → JHS Sisimiut (Holsteinsborg)
Sisimiut (Holsteinsborg)
64 200 mi DH8B Jun 1, 2026
GOH → UAK Narsarsuaq
Narsarsuaq (Narssarssuaq)
56 288 mi DH8B Mar 30, 2026
GOH → JEG Aasiaat
Aasiaat (Egedesminde
56 315 mi DH8B Jun 1, 2026
CNP → OBY Ittoqqortoormiit Heliport (Scoresbysund Heliport)
Ittoqqortoormiit (Scoresbysund)
48 24 mi AS50 Mar 9, 2026
GOH → JSU Maniitsoq
Maniitsoq (Sukkertoppen)
48 92 mi DH8B Jun 1, 2026
GOH → SFJ Sondre Stromfjord
Kangerlussuaq (Sondre Stromfjord)
45 197 mi DH8B Jun 1, 2026
GOH → CPH Copenhagen
Copenhagen
44 2203 mi A338 Jun 1, 2026
UAK → JJU Qaqortoq Heliport (Julianehab Heliport)
Qaqortoq (Julianehab)
43 37 mi EC55 Mar 2, 2026
JQA → UMD Uummannaq Heliport
Uummannaq
36 14 mi EC55 Dec 4, 2025
GOH → KUS Kulusuk
Kulusuk
28 437 mi DH8B May 29, 2026
GOH → JFR Paamiut
Paamiut (Frederikshab)
26 163 mi DH8B Jun 1, 2026
JHS → GOH Nuuk
Nuuk (Godthab)
25 200 mi DH8B May 10, 2026
SFJ → JHS Sisimiut (Holsteinsborg)
Sisimiut (Holsteinsborg)
18 82 mi DH8B Jun 1, 2026
KEF → GOH Nuuk
Nuuk (Godthab)
17 871 mi DH8B Feb 15, 2026
UAK → GOH Nuuk
Nuuk (Godthab)
16 288 mi DH8B Mar 2, 2026
JSU → JHS Sisimiut (Holsteinsborg)
Sisimiut (Holsteinsborg)
16 109 mi DH8B Mar 9, 2026
JEG → JAV Ilulissat (Jakobshavn)
Ilulissat (Jakobshavn)
15 56 mi DH8B May 7, 2026
JAV → GOH Nuuk
Nuuk (Godthab)
14 350 mi DH8B May 10, 2026
JEG → GOH Nuuk
Nuuk (Godthab)
14 315 mi DH8B May 10, 2026
KUS → AGM Tasiilaq Heliport
Tasiilaq (Ammassalik
13 14 mi EC55 Feb 24, 2026
SFJ → GOH Nuuk
Nuuk (Godthab)
13 197 mi DH8B Jun 1, 2026
UAK → JNS Narsaq Heliport
Narsaq
13 27 mi EC55 Mar 2, 2026
JSU → GOH Nuuk
Nuuk (Godthab)
13 92 mi DH8B Mar 9, 2026
SFJ → JSU Maniitsoq
Maniitsoq (Sukkertoppen)
12 127 mi DH8B Mar 6, 2026
Data Information:

Airline statistics are based on flight route observations collected from FlightAware AeroAPI and other sources. Flight counts represent observed operations, not scheduled frequencies. Route data is continuously updated as new flight information becomes available.

Data Freshness: Real-time
Last Update: Jun 1, 2026 06:47
Coverage: Observed routes only