28 November 2024 marked a milestone in Greenland's history. First with the approval of Greenland Airport's new 2200 metre runway and the official opening of Nuuk Airport and Air Greenland's opening of the new transatlantic route between Copenhagen and Nuuk with the A330neo ‘Tuukkaq’. It was a celebration!

It began at Copenhagen Airport at gate B10, where Air Greenland, in close co-operation with the airport, held a ceremonial event to mark the start of the important route. The celebrations continued in Nuuk with the opening of the route in the opposite direction, Nuuk - Copenhagen.

The opening ceremony was ceremonial with several speeches, including Air Greenland Group CEO, Jacob Nitter Sørensen. He emphasised the historic event and the importance the direct route between Copenhagen and Nuuk will have for Greenland. 

” This connection is far more than a technical necessity; it is the heartbeat of our society, sustaining everything we hold dear:”

“Air transport enables fresh fish exports, trade, tourism and investment, while supporting education, family reunions, cultural exchange and access to vital healthcare, as well as recruiting and retaining employees through increased mobility.”

Jacob Nitter took the audience; travellers, guests and media, on a journey through Greenland's aviation history and the future that awaits the people, not just in Nuuk, but in the whole country.

“The history of aviation is a story of innovation and progress. From the early days of helicopter flights to the Dash 7 and later the modern Dash 8, we now embrace the next chapter with the A330neo. What once took two weeks to accomplish was reduced to days and now to mere hours. This is the rhythm of advancement—and the rhythm of the future.”

With the new direct route between Nuuk and Copenhagen, Air Greenland's new schedule comes into effect and creates more connections on the same day.

After his speech, Jacob Nitter Sørensen passed the floor to Kim Kielsen, Naalakkersuisoq for Fisheries and Hunting. As the former premier of Greenland, he was one of the driving forces behind the decision to build the runways in Nuuk, Ilulissat and Qaqortoq, which was adopted by the parliament, Inatsisartut.

Lars Løkke Rasmusen was the Prime Minister of Denmark when he and Kim Kielsen signed an agreement to finance the two airports in Nuuk and Ilulissat, which will open in late 2026.

He emphasised how the airport and the new route will facilitate business travel and freight, boost tourism and open new opportunities for the people of Greenland.

The world is opening, he said, expressing his joy at travelling on today's departure. He concluded with humour: “I don't want to delay boarding any longer. Many of us are looking forward to travelling to Nuuk.”

Before he and the expectant travellers could take off, two speeches were left, the ceremonial part with the cutting of the ribbon and the photographing of the crew on the first scheduled flight between Copenhagen and Nuuk.

Danish Finance Minister Nicolai Wammen encouraged the world to visit Greenland, while Copenhagen Airport's Chairman of the Board, Lars Nørby Johansen, rounded off the series of speakers by quoting Knud Rasmussen: "Adventure awaits those who are ready to seize it."

The adventure began after Air Greenland's Station Manager in Copenhagen, Sofie-Kathrine Holm and Tuukkaq crew member, Siff Hjorth, cut the ribbon flanked by the speakers followed by the photographing of the Tuukkaq crew.

After a successful opening ceremony in Copenhagen, ‘Tuukkaq’ set course for Nuuk, where another celebration awaited. An hour before landing, Air Greenland's CEO, Jacob Nitter Sørensen, spoke to the passengers over the aircraft's PA system:

“We are approaching Nuuk, where we are all part of writing history as passengers on the very first direct commercial transatlantic flight to our capital. First and foremost, I want to extend a huge congratulations to Greenland Airports on the beautiful new airport – you should be proud, and we are already thrilled to have it. It has taken blood, sweat, and tears to get here, but today is the time to enjoy the fruits of that effort.”

And what an approach from inside the Nuuk fjord. The first officer, Sten Andersen, announced that the planned landing from the north had been changed due to the wind direction, and Tuukkaq would now land from the south. This created even more excitement as the locals on board knew that the aircraft would be flying over the capital, and it would be a sight that would be welcomed by many.

When the doors opened, many of Air Greenland's crew had moved to Nuuk two days earlier to continue their work with Tuukkaq.

Passengers on this special flight were greeted with excitement and joy. Inside, the Premier of Greenland, Múte B. Egede, invited guests and travellers on domestic flights and the new route into the terminal. With this, Múte B. Egede officially opened Greenland Airports' new airport, Nuuk Airport, with a speech followed by the cutting of the red ribbon.

But the celebrations were far from over as another ceremony awaited. This time it was the travellers who would be joining Tuukkaq on its next leg, Nuuk - Copenhagen, who took part in the ceremony.

It began with a joint song ‘Angalaarfissat qaninaassanagu’ with Paaliit Mølgaard Rasmussen singing lead accompanied by Glenn Møller. Air Greenland Group Chairman of the Board, Malik Hegelund Olsen, then spoke and congratulated Greenland Airports on the new airport.

”Today we stand here at Nuuk Airport, side by side with Greenland Airports, getting ready for a new reality. And it makes me think of Air Greenland's mission, which we work from on a daily basis; ‘Together we lift Greenland and connect our culture, nature and infrastructure with the rest of the world”

“May this day symbolise a new beginning for our country - a beginning that unites our longing with our connection to the world and its diversity,” he concluded.

”Today we stand here at Nuuk Airport, side by side with Greenland Airports, getting ready for a new reality. And it makes me think of Air Greenland's mission, which we work from on a daily basis; ‘Together we lift Greenland and connect our culture, nature and infrastructure with the rest of the world”

“May this day symbolise a new beginning for our country - a beginning that unites our longing with our connection to the world and its diversity,” he concluded.

First Officer on the A330neo, Tuukkaq, Sten Andersen and Air Greenland's Station Manager in Nuuk, Lona Thorsen, cut the ribbon to complete the circle. The expectant travellers were called up to gate 1, which will be used for international departures from that day - also with Tuukkaq.

The final part of Air Greenland's event was held outside at the northern part of the airport terminal. As travellers boarded Tuukkaq, Air Greenland's CEO, Jacob Nitter Sørensen, gave his final speech, where he presented a special gift to Greenland Airports. An iconic arrow sign that many will relate to the same sign in Kangerlussuaq. 

With the opening of the route and the implementation of the new timetable, Greenland is taking a big step towards a more connected future. The new infrastructure strengthens the country's accessibility and cohesion, which not only connects the regions better, but also connects Greenland to the world. As it was expressed on the opening day: ‘Together we lift Greenland.’