Kangilinnguit, GL 🇬🇱 Closed Airport
ICAO
GL-0017
IATA
-
Elevation
- ft
Region
GL-SE
Local Time
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Loading...GPS Code: Not available
Local Code: Not available
Location: 61.237704° N, -48.105526° E
Continent: North America
Type: Closed Airport
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| Designation | Length | Width | Surface | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
H1/ |
131 ft | 147 ft | ASP | Active |
| Type | Description | Frequency |
|---|
October 2014. The heliport ceased all official operations concurrently with the formal closure of the Kangilinnguit naval base, also known as Grønnedal.
Military consolidation and strategic realignment. The heliport's closure was a direct result of the Danish Armed Forces' decision to shut down the Grønnedal naval base. This was part of the Danish Defence Agreement 2013-2017, which established a new, unified Joint Arctic Command (Arktisk Kommando) headquartered in Nuuk. The move to Greenland's capital centralized command and logistics, making the isolated and costly Grønnedal base redundant.
The heliport, along with the entire former naval base, is abandoned and unmaintained. After the Danish military departed in 2014, the site was transferred to the Government of Greenland. The infrastructure, including the helipad, buildings, and support facilities, is in a state of decay due to the harsh Arctic environment and lack of use. The area is now a ghost town with no permanent population or ongoing activity.
The heliport was exclusively a military facility, vital to the operation of the Grønnedal naval base. From 1951 until its closure, Grønnedal was the headquarters of the Greenland Command (Grønlands Kommando), representing Denmark's primary military presence in Greenland. The heliport handled all helicopter traffic for the base, which included transporting personnel, carrying light cargo and supplies, supporting search and rescue (SAR) missions, and providing a logistical link to naval vessels and other settlements, particularly the airport at Narsarsuaq. It played a key role in Denmark's efforts to assert sovereignty and conduct surveillance in the North Atlantic and Greenlandic waters throughout the Cold War and beyond.
There are no known official plans or viable prospects for reopening the heliport. The military's strategic shift to Nuuk is permanent. While various civilian uses for the former base have been discussed in the past, such as for tourism or research, none have materialized due to the prohibitive costs of renovating, operating, and accessing the remote site. The heliport is expected to remain closed and abandoned for the foreseeable future.