Ilulissat's new international airport: routes and what to expect
- 12 sources cited
- Last verified 2026-10-27
- Published 2026-10-27
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Ilulissat, the town by the Icefjord, is getting its new international airport. From 29 October 2026 you can fly from Copenhagen to Ilulissat direct, and Icelandair plans summer flights from Keflavík in 2027. Schedules for the new airport are still settling, so check every date with the airline. [1] [2]
Greenland Airports gives the opening date as 29 October 2026. Air Greenland calls Ilulissat the last of three new airports, after Nuuk and Qaqortoq, and its second international hub after Nuuk. [3] [1]
Routes to Ilulissat (as published 27 October 2026)
International routes announced by the airlines. Times are local and subject to change. [1] [2]
| Route | Airline | When | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copenhagen – Ilulissat | Air Greenland | From 29 October 2026 (inaugural flight on an A330neo) | Winter, from November: Jettime Boeing 737-800, mainly Wednesdays, with extra Monday flights around Christmas/New Year and in March |
| Copenhagen – Ilulissat | Air Greenland | From April 2027 | A320neo, up to 6 weekly flights in peak summer |
| Keflavík – Ilulissat | Icelandair | 3 June – 16 October 2027 | 3 flights per week |
Air Greenland lists the flight times as GL707 Copenhagen 09:45 – Ilulissat 11:45 and GL708 Ilulissat 13:15 – Copenhagen 21:00 (local times, subject to change). [1]
Visit Greenland also mentions seasonal Air Greenland flights between Keflavík and Ilulissat. We could not confirm them on an Air Greenland page. Unverified [4]
Domestic connections
In its 2026 announcement, Air Greenland gave 6 weekly flights between Ilulissat and Kangerlussuaq (every day except Sunday). [5] On 27 October 2026, Air Greenland's deals table showed one-way economy fares from DKK 2,165 for Ilulissat–Nuuk. Air Greenland says these fares were collected within the previous 48 hours, and domestic fares exclude the TUA airport usage fee. [6]
The terminal
According to Greenland Airports' article of 6 October 2026, the terminal has: [3]
- 3 staffed check-in counters, 5 self-service kiosks and 3 bag-drop machines,
- 3 gates: 2 domestic and 1 international,
- a café in the domestic area, and self-service kiosks airside on the international side,
- Air Greenland operating domestic and international flights, and Icelandair international flights.
Greenland Airports says these details may change. [3]
Getting into town
The Greenland Airports article does not mention a public bus. It lists a taxi company, Ilulissat Taxa (+299 94 49 44), and says hotels may offer pick-up. [3] Ask your hotel about a pick-up when you book. We have not found an official taxi tariff for Ilulissat.
Arriving by sea
The coastal passenger ship Sarfaq Ittuk (Arctic Umiaq Line) calls at Ilulissat. Its ports include Ilulissat, Qeqertarsuaq, Aasiaat, Sisimiut, Maniitsoq, Nuuk and Qaqortoq. [7] Arctic Umiaq Line does not publish fares on its FAQ page; book through book.aul.gl.
Weather and buffers
Icelandair advises 1–2 days of buffer for Greenland trips, because weather and diversion-airport rules cause delays. [8] Air Greenland says weather cancellations are rebooked free of charge on the next available departure. [9] This matters most in winter, when the Copenhagen route is mainly weekly.
Related
FAQ
When does the new Ilulissat airport open?
Greenland Airports gives the opening date as 29 October 2026. [3]
Can I fly direct from Copenhagen to Ilulissat?
Yes, from 29 October 2026, according to Air Greenland. In winter the route is flown mainly on Wednesdays by a Jettime Boeing 737-800, and from April 2027 by an A320neo with up to 6 weekly flights in peak summer. [1]
Can I fly from Iceland to Ilulissat?
Icelandair's 2027 schedule shows Keflavík–Ilulissat 3 times a week from 3 June to 16 October 2027. [2]
Is there a bus from Ilulissat Airport into town?
Greenland Airports' article does not mention a public bus. It lists Ilulissat Taxa (+299 94 49 44) and says hotels may offer pick-up. [3]
Sources
- The latest new airport ushers in a new traffic pattern
Air Greenland · transport operator's own page · accessed 2026-10-27 - Our flight schedule 2026-27
Icelandair · transport operator's own page · accessed 2026-10-27 - New international airport in Ilulissat – what your journey will look like
Greenland Airports (Mittarfeqarfiit) · published 2026-10-06 · accessed 2026-10-27 - How to get to Greenland
Visit Greenland (national tourism organisation) · accessed 2026-10-27 - Direct flights between Kangerlussuaq and Copenhagen to continue in 2026
Air Greenland · transport operator's own page · accessed 2026-10-27 - Flights to Nuuk
Air Greenland · transport operator's own page · accessed 2026-10-27 - FAQ – Sarfaq Ittuk
Arctic Umiaq Line · transport operator's own page · accessed 2026-10-27 - Travel to Greenland: what to know before you go
Icelandair · transport operator's own page · accessed 2026-10-27 - Flights from Copenhagen to Nuuk
Air Greenland · transport operator's own page · accessed 2026-10-27 - Visa requirements
Visit Greenland · accessed 2026-10-27 - Turist i Grønland
Grønlands Politi (Greenland Police) · in Danish · accessed 2026-10-27 - Greenland Police (English front page)
Grønlands Politi (Greenland Police) · accessed 2026-10-27