Airports of Greenland
Greenland has 58 commercial airports, which sounds impressive until you realize 53 of them serve fewer than eight destinations each. This isn't a hub-and-spoke network so much as a collection of isolated outposts connected by thin threads of air service. The geography explains it: a landmass the size of Western Europe with a population around 56,000, most of it ice, none of it served by roads between settlements. Flying isn't a convenience here. It's infrastructure. The result is a network that's surprisingly wide but never deep, spread across a coastline where each community essentially has its own small airfield and not much else connecting it to the world.
The shape of Greenland's aviation network
What's striking about Greenland's aviation structure is that it has no dominant mega-hub — instead, the top spot is shared. GOH in Nuuk and JAV in Ilulissat are tied at 15 non-stop destinations each, which tells you something important: the capital isn't obviously the center of everything. Ilulissat, a town of around 5,000 people, pulls equivalent connectivity because it's the tourism anchor of the country (icefjord, UNESCO listing, the whole thing). Aasiaat adds another 10 routes, and Qaqortoq covers southern Greenland with 9. The practical effect is that there's no single airport you route everything through — your entry point depends almost entirely on where you're actually going, which is unusual and worth planning around before you book anything.
Airport tiers in Greenland
Regional airports (5)
- GOH Nuuk — 15 destinations
- JAV Ilulissat — 15 destinations
- JEG Aasiaat — 10 destinations
- JJU Qaqortoq — 9 destinations
- JUV Upernavik — 9 destinations
Minor airfields (53)
- JNN Nanortalik — 6 destinations
- JCH Qasigiannguit — 5 destinations
- SFJ Kangerlussuaq — 5 destinations
- UMD Uummannaq — 5 destinations
- JHS Sisimiut — 5 destinations
- AGM Tasiilaq — 5 destinations
- QCU Akunnaaq — 4 destinations
- UAK Narsarsuaq — 4 destinations
- QPW Kangaatsiaq — 4 destinations
- NAQ Qaanaaq — 4 destinations
- QJI Ikamiut — 3 destinations
- KUS Kulusuk — 3 destinations
Tips for using Greenland's airports
There are no roads between Greenland's towns, so if you're moving between regions, you're flying again. Don't assume Nuuk (GOH) is always your best entry point — if you're heading to the Ilulissat icefjord, flying directly into JAV will save you a domestic connection. For southern Greenland, Qaqortoq (JJU) is your practical base. The 53 minor airfields mostly serve helicopter or small prop operations; schedules are thin and weather cancellations are common, so build buffer days into any itinerary that relies on them. Air Greenland runs most of this network, so check their domestic connections alongside whatever international routing gets you into the country.
Frequently asked questions
How many airports are in Greenland?
Greenland has 58 commercial airports serving the country. These airports range from major hubs to smaller regional facilities that connect remote settlements.
What is the biggest and busiest airport in Greenland?
Nuuk Airport (GOH) is Greenland's largest and busiest airport, serving as the country's primary hub for domestic and international flights. It handles the majority of passenger traffic and connects Greenland to Denmark and other international destinations.
Can I fly internationally from regional airports in Greenland?
Most international flights operate through Nuuk Airport, as Greenland has no major international hubs outside of it. Regional airports primarily handle domestic connections, though some may have limited seasonal international service.
What is the distance and transit between Greenland's main airports?
Greenland's airports are spread across the vast island with distances varying significantly between regions. Most domestic connections are served by regular flight routes, though specific transit times depend on the individual airport pair and weather conditions.
Which airport should I fly to when visiting Greenland?
If you're arriving internationally, you should fly to Nuuk Airport (GOH) as it handles most international connections from Denmark and other countries. From Nuuk, you can then connect to regional airports throughout Greenland depending on your final destination.