International flights to Greenland suspended as Nuuk halts security checks
August 27, 2025
International flights from Nuuk have been suspended after Danish authorities raised concerns about passenger screening procedures at Greenland’s main airport.
The Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority informed the operator on 26 August that “the supplementary training of staff responsible for screening international travelers does not fully meet current requirements.”
Flights to Greenland cancelled or diverted
The suspension has already disrupted operations. United Airlines flight 80 from Newark to Nuuk was forced to turn back mid-air.
SAS has cancelled flight SK1294, a three-times weekly Airbus A320 service from Copenhagen.
Domestic services are unaffected.
In a statement, the airport authority said: “We are working intensively with the Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority to address the specific issues that have been identified in the training.
“The goal is to restore normal operations for international traffic as quickly as possible. In the near future, travellers departing Greenland on certain routes may undergo security screening in Kangerlussuaq or Narsarsuaq.”
An Air Greenland representative pointed AGN to a Facebook post, which stated: “Due to a temporary suspension of all international traffic via Nuuk International Airport, we unfortunately have to reschedule our international programme on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
“This affects routes to and from the following destinations: Iqaluit, Keflavík, Billund and Copenhagen.
“Passengers with scheduled departures to or from these destinations should expect changes to their itinerary. An updated itinerary will be sent out, travellers should expect to receive their new travel plans no later than 1 p.m. Greenlandic time the day before their scheduled trip, we therefore urge all affected passengers to keep an eye on their email and the Club Timmisa app.”
The post added: “We are utilising all available capacity to ensure that all travellers arrive at their destinations.
“Unfortunately, this means that the options for changing your new itinerary are very limited, including through our customer service. We therefore recommend that you follow the itinerary sent to you, as it may be difficult to offer alternative departures at this time.”
The stoppage follows an earlier disruption this month when a United Airlines service from Nuuk to Newark on 3 August departed more than three hours late due to staff absences during the reindeer hunting season.
Greenland’s wider aviation plans
The suspension comes as Greenland works to expand its international air network.
Nuuk has recently opened a 2,200-metre runway capable of handling narrow- and widebody aircraft such as the Airbus A330neo, Boeing 737 and Airbus A321, part of a national programme that also includes developments in Ilulissat and Qaqortoq.
The projects are designed to reduce reliance on Kangerlussuaq as the main entry point and to boost direct links with Europe and North America.
Officials have said improved international connectivity is central to diversifying Greenland’s economy, particularly through tourism growth.
But this week’s suspension of international traffic highlights the operational challenges that may accompany this transition in a remote and sparsely populated region of the world.
United extends Newark–Nuuk flights into 2026
Despite the current difficulties, United Airlines has confirmed it will return with its Newark–Nuuk service in the 2026 summer season.
United network planner Patrick Quayle wrote on Instagram:
“Earlier this summer, I traveled to United’s ❄️coolest❄️ new destination. From exploring the charming city of Nuuk to taking a polar plunge in the icy Atlantic 🏊♂️🥶, everything in Greenland was incredible! And if you haven’t had a chance to travel to Nuuk this year, I’ve got good news: @united will be returning to this gem of the Arctic in 2026.”
The carrier launched the route in June of this year, using a Boeing 737 MAX 8, becoming the first US airline to operate scheduled transatlantic flights to Greenland.
The service, which takes around four hours, has achieved strong load factors, supported by tourism demand and connections via Newark to more than 100 destinations across North America.
