Greenland’s national airline, Greenland Air (name-change in 2002 to Air Greenland), was established in 1960. In the early years, Catalina aircraft were used as they were able to land both on water and on the runways in Narsarsuaq and Kangerlussuaq which were constructed by the American defences during World War II. When a landing was to take place close to a town, the “runway” had to be cleared of icebergs and ice floes first. Every town had a specific airport code that was painted on selected roofs of the houses in town.

In 1965, heliports were built in all towns and air services were provided by S-61 helicopters that could carry up to 20 passengers. At that time, the length of route network in Greenland was about 3000 km, making it the world’s longest helicopter-operated route network. 15,000 passengers were carried annually, a number that rose to 50,000 in a period of 10 years.

As a consequence of the rapid development in Greenland in the 1960’s and 1970’s the demand for both cargo and passenger transport increased. Since helicopters are expensive to operate, it was decided to gradually switch to flights with fixed-wing aircraft. Airports were built, first in Nuuk (1979) and Ilulissat (1983) and later in most of the towns along Greenland’s west coast. Today, most domestic air transport in Greenland is operated by the DASH-7 aircraft that can carry up to 50 passengers – although part of the cabin is often taken up by cargo. Some towns and settlements are still serviced by various helicopters.

Air Greenland also undertakes search and rescue operations and functions as an ambulance when patients need to be evacuated to a larger hospital or sent for treatment in Denmark. In addition, Air Greenland uses its helicopters in connection with mineral exploration and undertakes charter activities both in and outside Greenland. Air Greenland’s aircraft and equipment have been used for jobs in, for example, Antarctica, Nepal and Africa.

At the end of the 1990’s Air Greenland decided to take up competition with SAS, which until then had been alone on the route between Greenland and Denmark. Air Greenland purchased two jets and after a couple of years SAS retired from the route on a year-round basis. Air Greenland is now the only year-round operator on flights between Denmark and Kangerlussuaq and Narsarsuaq respectively. During the winter there are five weekly connections and in the summer there are 10 to 12 weekly connections.

The increase in numbers of passengers has been steep. From 15,000 passengers in 1965 the number has multiplied by more than 40. In 2006 Air Greenland bid more than 310,000 passengers welcome on board!