International Flights Halted Over Security Training Concerns
Nuuk Airport, the main gateway to Greenland’s capital, has suspended all international flights indefinitely after the Danish Transport Authority raised concerns about staff training for passenger security screening.
In a statement released Wednesday, Greenland Airports—which owns and operates all of the territory’s civilian airports—confirmed the suspension:
“The suspension is due to the fact that, according to the Danish Transport Authority, the training of staff for screening international passengers does not fully meet the current requirements.”
The company added it is working “intensively” with Danish regulators to resolve the issues and restore normal international operations as soon as possible.
Domestic Flights Unaffected
While international travel has been halted, domestic flights within Greenland will continue as scheduled, ensuring local connectivity is maintained.
Impact on United Airlines Flights
The suspension has already disrupted international services:
- A United Airlines flight from Newark to Nuuk was forced to return to the U.S.
- United canceled both that flight and its scheduled return service to New Jersey.
United had only recently launched the first-ever nonstop U.S. route to Nuuk in June, marking a historic milestone. The last direct U.S.-Greenland service was operated by Air Greenland in the late 2000s.
“A Big Milestone” for Greenland
Despite the setback, Greenland tourism officials remain optimistic.
Tanny Por, head of international relations at Visit Greenland, told The Points Guy:
“Of course, there’s things we have to learn. But I think it’s been promising. It’s the first time we’ve had any airline come from outside Copenhagen or Iceland, ever, so it’s really a big milestone and a big historical moment.”
What’s Next
Authorities have not given a timeline for when international flights may resume. For now, travelers planning trips to Greenland from abroad will face disruptions until Nuuk Airport meets the required international screening standards.
