Definition:
Ilulissat Airport (IATA: JUV, ICAO: BGJN) is a domestic airport located near the town of Ilulissat in the Avannaata municipality of western Greenland. It serves as a key transportation hub for the region and connects the town with other major settlements in Greenland.
Overview:
Ilulissat Airport is one of the busiest airports in Greenland due to its strategic location and the popularity of Ilulissat as a tourist destination, primarily because of the nearby UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Ilulissat Icefjord. Currently, the airport operates domestic flights within Greenland, primarily serviced by Air Greenland. It does not have direct international commercial service, though international travelers typically fly into Kangerlussuaq or Nuuk and transfer domestically to Ilulissat.
A new international airport is under development—Ilulissat International Airport—which is expected to open in the mid-2020s. This new facility will replace the existing airport and accommodate larger aircraft, enabling direct intercontinental flights, particularly from Europe and North America, to support growing tourism and economic development.
Etymology/Origin:
The name "Ilulissat Airport" is derived from the town it serves, Ilulissat, which means "icebergs" in the Greenlandic language (Kalaallisut). This reflects the region's notable glacial activity and the presence of the Sermeq Kujalleq (Jakobshavn Glacier), one of the most productive glaciers in the Northern Hemisphere.
Characteristics:
- Location: Approximately 2.5 kilometers (1.6 miles) east of Ilulissat town center.
- Runway: Currently features a short, gravel runway unsuitable for large fixed-wing aircraft. The existing runway length is approximately 787 meters (2,582 feet), limiting operations to STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) aircraft such as the Dash 8.
- Aircraft Type: Served primarily by Dash 8 aircraft operated by Air Greenland.
- Passenger Traffic: Among the busiest in Greenland, with tens of thousands of passengers annually, many of whom are tourists.
- Ongoing Development: A new international-standard airport is under construction with a 2,800-meter (9,186-foot) paved runway, capable of handling jet aircraft such as the Airbus A330 and Boeing 757.
Related Topics:
- Air Greenland
- Ilulissat Icefjord
- Avannaata Municipality
- Greenlandic transportation infrastructure
- Qaasuitsup Municipality (former administrative region)
- Ilulissat International Airport (under construction)