Southern Greenland is becoming easier to reach, as the opening of Qaqortoq airport replaces Narsarsuaq as the region’s main access point and allows international visitors to fly directly to its main town for the first time.
Although the region is home to the estate of Erik the Red, who arrived over 1,000 years ago, as well as Tasermiut Fjord, often referred to as the ‘Patagonia of Greenland’, it has long been difficult to access. Until recently, travellers had to arrive by cruise ship, take a two-day ferry from Greenland’s capital Nuuk, or fly to Narsarsuaq before continuing by helicopter or boat to Qaqortoq.
Henceforward, that journey will be drastically shortened. Thanks to the opening of Qaqortoq airport, travellers will be able to take a short plane connection from Nuuk, which will bring them to the region in just 75 minutes. The 1,500-metre runway at Qaqortoq airport can accommodate Dash-8 Q200 and Q400 turboprop aircraft.
“With the opening of Qaqortoq Airport, we are taking an important step in the development of South Greenland. We are proud to contribute to the development of Greenland’s infrastructure and look forward to seeing how these new opportunities translate into tangible growth,” explained Jens Lauridsen, CEO of Greenland Airports.
Until the opening, most of the 30,000 annual visitors did not spend the night at Qaqortoq. Only 1,700 tourists on average stayed overnight each year, while the rest returned to their cruise ships after a day of kayaking, whale-watching, hiking, or relaxing at the nearby Uunartoq hot springs.
“South Greenland offers a rare combination of powerful nature and a living culture shaped over generations. Improved access allows us to welcome visitors with greater intention – encouraging travel with curiosity, while creating lasting value for local communities and more meaningful experiences for our guests,” said Visit Greenland Director Anne Nivika Grødem.
According to Air Greenland, there will be two daily direct flights between Nuuk and Qaqortoq year-round, taking just 75 minutes overall. In summer, that number will likely rise to 17 weekly services. Meanwhile, Icelandair is counting on organising four weekly summer flights between Keflavík and Qaqortoq starting from 2 June 2026.
“This is a big day for the community. The airport connects South Greenland more closely to both the rest of the country via Nuuk and the world via Keflavik. It creates new opportunities for tourism and business, while strengthening everyday life in the area,” stated Miki Jensen, CEO of Innovation South Greenland.
The newly-opened Qaqortoq airport is part of a series of upgrades to Greenland’s flight network. Recently, Nuuk Airport in the Greenland’s capital underwent major renovation works and an expansion of Ilulissat Airport is underway at the time of writing and should be completed by the end of 2026. By improving air access throughout the country, Greenland is looking to boost year-round tourism in order to support local businesses, to reduce travel times, and to contribute to a more balanced development across the country.
