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{{Infobox airline
{{Infobox airline
| airline = Air Greenland
| airline = Air Greenland
| logo = Air Greenland logo.svg
| logo = Air Greenland logo.svg
| logo_size = 250
| logo_size = 250
| alt = The Air Greenland workmark and starburst trademark in red on a white background
| alt = The Air Greenland workmark and starburst trademark in red on a white background
| IATA = GL
| IATA = GL
| ICAO = GRL
| ICAO = GRL
| callsign = GREENLAND
| callsign = GREENLAND
| founded = {{start date and age|1960|11|7|df=y}}<br/><small>as Grønlandsfly</small>
| founded = {{start date and age|1960|11|7|df=y}}<br/><small>as Grønlandsfly</small>
| commenced =
| commenced =
| ceased =
| ceased =
| aoc =
| aoc =
| bases =
| bases =
| hubs =
| hubs = * [[Kangerlussuaq Airport]]
| secondary_hubs =
* [[Kangerlussuaq Airport]]
| focus_cities = * [[Nuuk Airport]]
| secondary_hubs =
| focus_cities =
* [[Copenhagen Airport]]
* [[Ilulissat Airport]]
* [[Ilulissat Airport]]
| frequent_flyer = Club Timmisa
* [[Nuuk Airport]]
| alliance =
| frequent_flyer = Club Timmisa
| subsidiaries = {{ubl|Greenland Travel|[[Hotel Arctic (Greenland)|Hotel Arctic]]|[[Norlandair]]|World of Greenland}}
| alliance =
| fleet_size = Fixed-wing – 9<br/>Helicopter – 18
| subsidiaries = {{ubl|Greenland Travel|[[Hotel Arctic (Greenland)|Hotel Arctic]]|[[Norlandair]]|World of Greenland}}
| destinations = 16
| fleet_size = Fixed-wing – 9<br/>Helicopter – 19
| destinations = 16
| parent =
| headquarters = [[Nuuk Airport]], [[Nuussuaq, Greenland]]
| parent =
| key_people = {{ubl|Bodil Marie Damgaard{{wbr}}&nbsp;([[Chairman|Chairwoman of The Board]])|Jacob Nitter Sørensen ([[CEO]])}}
| headquarters = [[Nuuk Airport]], [[Nuussuaq, Greenland]]
| revenue = {{increase}} {{USD|link=yes}}{{To USD|1220.40|DNK}} million
| key_people = {{ubl|Bodil Marie Damgaard{{wbr}}&nbsp;([[Chairman|Chairwoman of The Board]])|Jacob Nitter Sørensen ([[CEO]])}}
| revenue = {{increase}} {{USD|link=yes}}{{To USD|1220.40|DNK}} million
| operating_income = {{increase}} {{USD|link=yes}}{{To USD|75.60|Denmark}} million
| operating_income = {{increase}} {{USD|link=yes}}{{To USD|75.60|Denmark}} million
| net_income = {{increase}} {{USD|link=yes}}{{To USD|51.30|Denmark}} million
| net_income = {{increase}} {{USD|link=yes}}{{To USD|51.30|Denmark}} million
| assets = {{increase}} {{USD|link=yes}}{{To USD|917.50|Denmark}} million
| assets = {{increase}} {{USD|link=yes}}{{To USD|917.50|Denmark}} million
| equity = {{increase}} {{USD|link=yes}}{{To USD|653.40|Denmark}} million
| equity = {{increase}} {{USD|link=yes}}{{To USD|653.40|Denmark}} million
| website = {{url|airgreenland.com}}
| website = {{URL|airgreenland.com}}
| num_employees =
| num_employees =
}}
}}


'''Air Greenland''' [[Aktieselskab|A/S]] (formerly named Grønlandsfly), also known as '''Greenlandair''', is the [[flag carrier]] of [[Greenland]], owned by the [[Naalakkersuisut|Greenlandic Government]]. It operates a fleet of 28 aircraft, including 2 airliners used for [[transatlantic flight|transatlantic]] and charter flights, 8 [[fixed-wing aircraft]] primarily serving the domestic network, and 18 [[helicopter]]s feeding passengers from the smaller communities into the domestic [[airport]] network. Flights to [[heliport]]s in the remote settlements are operated on contract with the government of Greenland.
'''Air Greenland''' [[Aktieselskab|A/S]] (formerly named Grønlandsfly), also known as '''Greenlandair''', is the [[flag carrier]] of [[Greenland]], owned by the [[Naalakkersuisut|Greenlandic Government]]. It operates a fleet of 28 aircraft, including a single [[Airbus A330neo|A330-800]] airliner used for [[transatlantic flight|transatlantic]] and charter flights, 9 [[fixed-wing aircraft]] primarily serving the domestic network, and 18 [[helicopter]]s feeding passengers from the smaller communities into the domestic [[airport]] network. Flights to [[heliport]]s in the remote settlements are operated on contract with the government of Greenland.


Besides running scheduled services and government-contracted flights to most villages in the country, the airline also supports remote [[research stations]], provides charter services for [[tourism in Greenland|tourists]] and Greenland's [[Arctic petroleum exploration|energy]] and [[economy of Greenland#Mining|mineral-resource industries]] and permits [[Medical evacuation|medivac]] during emergencies. Air Greenland has seven subsidiaries, an [[airline]], [[hotel]]s, [[tour operator]]s, and a [[travel agency]] specialised in Greenlandic tourism.
Besides running scheduled services and government-contracted flights to most villages in the country, the airline also supports remote [[research stations]], provides charter services for [[tourism in Greenland|tourists]] and Greenland's [[Arctic petroleum exploration|energy]] and [[economy of Greenland#Mining|mineral-resource industries]] and permits [[Medical evacuation|medivac]] during emergencies. Air Greenland has seven subsidiaries, an [[airline]], [[hotel]]s, [[tour operator]]s, and a [[travel agency]] specialised in Greenlandic tourism.

==History==
Founded in 1960 as ''Grønlandsfly'' (translates to ''Greenland aviation''), the airline started its first services with [[PBY Catalina|Catalina]] seaplanes and within the decade expanded to include [[de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter|DHC-3 Otter]]s as well as [[Sikorsky S-61]] helicopters. The majority of operations were based on helicopters until the newly established Greenland Home Rule began investing in a network of [[short takeoff and landing]] airfields. These were very expensive to construct and Greenland's airport fees are still among the highest in the world;<ref name="TP2011"/> they also required a new fleet: [[De Havilland Canada Dash 7|DHC-7]] [[turboprop]]s uniquely suited to the harsh terrain and weather conditions in Greenland. The reliability of connections improved as the domestic airport network expanded in the 1990s: increasing use of the Dash 7s made the airline less restricted by inclement weather. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Air Greenland acquired a [[Boeing 757]] and an [[Airbus A330-200|Airbus A330]], allowing it to open connections to [[Copenhagen]], until then operated by [[Scandinavian Airlines|SAS]] which also competed mid to late 2000s. In the 21st century, it competes with [[Icelandair]] for international connections and small charter services domestically.

===1960s===
[[File:Kangerlussuaq-airport-air-greenland-sikorsky-s61n.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Sikorsky S-61|Sikorsky S-61N]] helicopter, acquired in 1965, was one of the earliest aircraft in Air Greenland's fleet.]]

The airline was established on 7 November 1960 as Grønlandsfly A/S,<ref name="hist">Air Greenland. "[http://www.airgreenland.dk/om_air_greenland/vores_historie/ Vores Historie] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121207074450/http://www.airgreenland.dk/om_air_greenland/vores_historie |date=7 December 2012 }}" ["Our History"]. Retrieved 2 May 2012. {{in lang|da}}</ref> by the [[Scandinavian Airlines System]] (now SAS) and [[Kryolitselskabet Øresund]], a Danish mining company involved with the [[cryolite]] operations at [[Ivittuut]] to provide transport and logistics for four [[Distant Early Warning Line|American radar bases in Greenland]]. In 1962, interests in the firm were acquired by the [[Greenland Landsråd|Provincial Council]] (now the [[Greenland Home Rule Government]]) and the [[Royal Greenland Trade Department]] (now [[KNI A/S|KNI]]).<ref name="anni60"/>

The first flights serving the American bases in Greenland operated lightweight [[de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter|DHC-3 Otters]] and [[Sikorsky S-55]] helicopters chartered from Canada.<ref name="anni60">Air Greenland. "50 År: [http://50.airgreenland.dk/60'erne/ Grønlandsfly 1960–69] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528050947/http://50.airgreenland.dk/60'erne/ |date=28 May 2010 }}". Retrieved 16 May 2010. {{in lang|da}}</ref> After a crash in 1961, Grønlandsfly used [[PBY Catalina]] water planes and [[de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter|DHC-6 Twin Otter]]s on domestic routes. One of the Catalinas then crashed in 1962. In 1965, the [[Douglas DC-4]] became the line's first larger airplane. It was followed by Sikorsky S-61 helicopters, which have remained in use: in 2010, they still served the communities of [[Kujalleq]] [[municipalities of Greenland|municipality]] in southern Greenland year-round and those of [[Disko Bay]] during the winter.<ref name="fleet">{{cite web |url=http://www.airgreenland.com/about/our-aircraft-and-helicopters |publisher=Air Greenland |title=Fleet: Aircraft and Helicopters |access-date=4 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130820120159/http://www.airgreenland.com/about/our-aircraft-and-helicopters |archive-date=20 August 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="book">{{cite web|url=http://book.airgreenland.com/ |publisher=Air Greenland |title=Booking system |access-date=16 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100422211033/http://book.airgreenland.com/ |archive-date=22 April 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===1970s===
[[File:Kangerlussuaq-airport-air-greenland-dhc6.jpg|thumb|right|Air Greenland's [[de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter|DHC-6 Twin Otter]]s were used for ambulance and charter flights, such as to the research base at [[Summit Camp]].]]

During the 1970s, Grønlandsfly upgraded its DC-4 to the newer [[Douglas DC-6|DC-6]],<ref name="anni70">Air Greenland. "50 Års: [http://50.airgreenland.dk/70'erne/ Grønlandsfly 1970–79] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528050952/http://50.airgreenland.dk/70'erne/ |date=28 May 2010 }}". Retrieved 10 August 2010. {{in lang|da}}</ref> but principally focused on expanding its helicopter fleet, purchasing five more S-61s. By 1972, it opened up service to east Greenland with a helicopter based in [[Tasiilaq]], and established Greenlandair Charter. Mining at [[Maamorilik]] in the [[Uummannaq Fjord]] required still more helicopters, and the airline purchased [[Bell 206]]s for the route. Grønlandsfly also picked up a Danish government contract to fly reconnaissance missions regarding the sea ice around Greenland.<ref name="anni70"/>

By the end of 1979, the number of Grønlandsfly passengers served annually exceeded 60,000,<ref name="anni70"/> more than the population of Greenland. That year, the airline's first international route was also opened, running between Greenland's capital Nuuk and the town of [[Iqaluit]] in northern [[Canada]]. The route connected Greenland's [[Kalaallit people|Kalaallit]] with Canada's [[Inuit people|Inuit]] and was operated in conjunction with the Canadian [[First Air]] line, but the planes were generally run empty and the route was shuttered 13 years later.<ref name="anni80">Air Greenland. "50 Års: [http://50.airgreenland.dk/80'erne/ Grønlandsfly 1980–89] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528050957/http://50.airgreenland.dk/80'erne/ |date=28 May 2010 }}". Retrieved 17 May 2010. {{in lang|da}}</ref>

===1980s===
[[File:Greenlandair Dash 7 Kangerlussuaq.jpg|thumb|right|Air Greenland used the -102 (''pictured'') and -103 variants of the Dash 7. The latter of this aircraft is equipped with a front cargo section.]]

The establishment of the [[Greenland Home Rule Government]] in 1979 led to investment in a regional network of true airports, with [[STOL|short take-off and landing]] (STOL) airfields constructed in Nuuk, [[Ilulissat Airport|Ilulissat]] (1984), and [[Kulusuk Airport|Kulusuk]].<ref name="anni80"/> (These early airports were built without de-icing equipment, a situation which has proven problematic during Greenland's winters and continues to cause delays and losses for the airline.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sermitsiaq.gl/erhverv/article63762.ece?lang=EN |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120525102115/http://sermitsiaq.gl/erhverv/article63762.ece?lang=EN |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 May 2012 |title=Defective equipment costs Air Greenland millions |work=[[Sermitsiaq (newspaper)|Sermitsiaq]] |date=18 November 2008 |access-date=16 May 2010 }}</ref>) The decade also saw the company train and hire its first native [[Kalaallit people|Kalaallit]] pilots.<ref name="anni80"/>

To service the enlarged network, Grønlandsfly began acquiring [[De Havilland Canada Dash 7|DHC-7]]s,<ref name="anni80"/> planes particularly suited to the often severe weather conditions in Greenland.<ref name="dvd">{{cite video |year=2003 | title=Air Greenland Airbus A330-200, Boeing 757-200, Dash 7 & Sikorsky 61 | isbn=1-931438-85-4 | people=Michael Binzer (Air Greenland) |medium=DVD | publisher=Just Planes Videos}}</ref> The first was delivered on 29 September 1979, followed by more over the next decade.<ref name="suluk2010_1">{{cite web|url=http://airgreenland.com/files/pdf/suluk/100401_Suluk_2010_No_1.pdf |title=Suluk 2010 No.1 |publisher=Air Greenland |access-date=7 June 2010 }}{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> These planes remain in active service, serving every airport except [[Nerlerit Inaat Airport|Nerlerit Inaat]] near [[Ittoqqortoormiit]],<ref name="book"/> whose operation is handled by [[Icelandair]] under contract with Greenland Home Rule.<ref name="icelandair">{{cite web |url=http://annual2006.icelandairgroup.com/group-review/travel-and-tourism/air-iceland/ |title=Annual Report 2006 |work=[[Icelandair Group]] |access-date=19 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713001422/http://annual2006.icelandairgroup.com/group-review/travel-and-tourism/air-iceland/ |archive-date=13 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 1981, Grønlandsfly opened its first route to [[Iceland]], linking [[Reykjavík Airport]] to its [[Kangerlussuaq Airport|main hub at Kangerlussuaq]] via [[Kulusuk Airport|Kulusuk]]. In 1986, a route to Keflavík allowed the company to break SAS's monopoly on flights between Greenland and Denmark via a Keflavík-Copenhagen leg operated by [[Icelandair]].<ref name="anni80"/> By 1989, the airline employed more than 400 Greenlanders and carried more than 100,000 passengers annually.<ref name="anni80"/>

===1990s===
[[File:Greenlandair 757-236 OY-GRL.jpg|thumb|right|Air Greenland's first [[jet airliner]], a [[Boeing 757-200]], landing at [[Kangerlussuaq Airport]] in 2001.]]
[[File:Air Greenland B757-236 (OY-GRL) parked at Kangerlussuaq Airport.jpg|thumb|right|The same airliner in Air Greenland livery (2005). The aircraft was named ''Kunuunnguaq'' and registered OY-GRL.]]

The company saw its activity curtailed as the mines at Ivittuut (1987) and Maamorilik (1990) closed operation, leading to a recession in the Greenlandic economy.

As the situation improved, the network of regional STOL airports was extended with [[Sisimiut Airport]], [[Maniitsoq Airport]] and [[Aasiaat Airport]] built in mid-western Greenland and [[Qaarsut Airport]] and [[Upernavik Airport]] built in northwestern Greenland.<ref name="anni90"/> With the purchase of a fifth Dash 7, Grønlandsfly was {{ndash}} for the first time since its inception {{ndash}} able to provide plane services to [[list of cities of Greenland|all major towns]] in Greenland. ([[Uummannaq]] is served by Qaarsut Airport in conjunction with its heliport.)

Grønlandsfly also purchased its first jet aircraft, a [[Boeing 757|Boeing 757-200]] which began operation in May 1998. The airliner was named ''Kunuunnguaq'' in honour of the Greenlandic explorer and ethnologist [[Knud Rasmussen]], whose [[Bust (sculpture)|bust]] decorates in the terminal of Kangerlussuaq hub.<ref name="anni90">Air Greenland. "50 Års: [http://50.airgreenland.dk/90'erne/ Grønlandsfly 1990–99] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528051412/http://50.airgreenland.dk/90'erne/ |date=28 May 2010 }}". Retrieved 16 May 2010. {{in lang|da}}</ref> The airliner allowed the company to run the profitable Kangerlussuaq–[[Copenhagen]] route directly, without affiliates or a layover in Iceland. Thus, in 1999, the airline served 282,000 passengers, nearly triple the number at the end of the previous decade.<ref name="anni90"/>

===2000s===
Around the turn of the millennium, the airline renewed its aging fleet, retiring several of its S-61 and 206 helicopters and replacing them with Bell 212s and [[Eurocopter AS350]]s.<ref name="anni90"/> The company also sacked its CEO Peter Fich, who had proven unable to balance Greenland Home Rule's demands for local Greenlander service with the board's for expanded tourism, lower fares and higher profits.<ref name="TP2000">"[http://www.travelpeople.dk/2000/2000090501.htm New Greenlandair President]". ''Travel People''. 1 May 2000. Retrieved 5 May 2012.</ref> Under his replacement Finn Øelund, Grønlandsfly initially posted a [[Danish krone|DKK]] 30 million loss as contractual obligations maintained unprofitable service while a strike ruined the summer tourist season and [[Post Greenland]] moved a lucrative mail contract to the Danish-owned [[Air Alpha Greenland]].<ref name="TP2001">"[http://www.travelpeople.dk/2001/2001090306.htm Greenlandair Climbing to New Levels]". ''Travel People''. 6 March 2001. Retrieved 5 May 2012.</ref> In response, the company successfully pushed back against Greenland Home Rule's large demands, high fees and low subsidies<ref name="TP2001"/> and rebranded itself, [[Anglicisation|anglicising]] its name to Air Greenland and adopting a new logo and livery on 18 April 2002.<ref name="anni00">Air Greenland. "50 Års: [http://50.airgreenland.dk/00'erne/ Air Greenland 2000–09] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528050937/http://50.airgreenland.dk/00'erne/ |date=28 May 2010 }}". Retrieved 16 May 2010. {{in lang|da}}</ref>

In 2003, Finn Øelund left to head [[Maersk Air]] and was replaced as CEO by Flemming Knudson.<ref name="TP2011"/> Air Greenland opened a route from Copenhagen to [[Akureyri Airport|Akureyri]] in Iceland; the service lasted for six years before finally being deemed unprofitable and ended. Also in 2003, SAS abandoned its Greenland service, leading Air Greenland to purchase its second airliner, an [[Airbus A330]]-200 named ''Norsaq''.<ref name="anni00"/> (SAS briefly revived the service during the peak season in 2007<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sas.dk/da/Om-SAS-Danmark2/Presserum/Nyhedsarkiv/SAS-Danmark-abner-rute-til-Gronland/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080205021910/http://www.sas.dk/da/Om-SAS-Danmark2/Presserum/Nyhedsarkiv/SAS-Danmark-abner-rute-til-Gronland/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 February 2008 |title=SAS Danmark åbner rute til Grønland |date=31 January 2007 |language=da |access-date=26 March 2011 }}</ref> before dropping it again in January 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://sermitsiaq.ag/indland/article78222.ece |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716050435/http://sermitsiaq.ag/indland/article78222.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 July 2012 |title=SAS lukker grønlandsrute |date=10 March 2009 |language=da |access-date=26 March 2011 }}</ref>) Owing to SAS's withdrawal from the market, Air Greenland received its contract with the U.S. Air Force for passenger service to and from [[Thule Air Base]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airgreenland.com/files/pdf/aarsberetning/en/050401_Air_Greenland_Annual_Report_2004.pdf |publisher=Air Greenland |title=Annual Report 2004 |access-date=16 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524143252/http://airgreenland.com/files/pdf/aarsberetning/en/050401_Air_Greenland_Annual_Report_2004.pdf |archive-date=24 May 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Running from February 2004, the contract was renewed for another five-year period in 2008<ref>{{cite news |url=http://sermitsiaq.gl/erhverv/article52051.ece |title=Air Greenland skal fortsat servicere Thule Air Base |work=[[Sermitsiaq (newspaper)|Sermitsiaq]] |date=22 August 2008 |language=da |access-date=16 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080830120600/http://sermitsiaq.gl/erhverv/article52051.ece |archive-date=30 August 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> despite SAS's brief return to the market.

The first takeover of another airline took place on 28 July 2006, when Air Greenland acquired [[Air Alpha Greenland]], a subsidiary of Danish carrier [[Air Alpha]]. Air Alpha Greenland had operated helicopter flights in Disko Bay and in eastern Greenland. Since the takeover, the acquired [[Bell 222]] helicopters have been used for passenger transfers between Nerlerit Inaat Airport and [[Ittoqqortoormiit Heliport]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://knr.gl/index.php?id=164&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=13550&cHash=7cc56aed0b |title=Air Greenlandip Air Alpha Greenland pisiarilerpaa |work=[[Kalaallit Nunaata Radioa]] |language=kl|date=28 July 2006 |access-date=17 May 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://knr.gl/index.php?id=183&tx_ttnews%5Bswords%5D=Air%20Alpha&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=14391&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=143&cHash=fb5fa315b6 |title=Air Alphas epoke i Grønland slut |work=[[Kalaallit Nunaata Radioa]] |language=da |date=28 July 2006 |access-date=18 May 2010}}</ref>

In 2007, Flemming Knudson was moved to head the [[Royal Greenland]] fishing concern and current CEO Michael Binzer was hired with a mandate to lead the company towards greater commercialisation and self-sufficiency under the ''Qarsoq 2012'' ("Arrow 2012") plan.<ref name="TP2011">"[http://www.travelpeople.dk/2011/2011110101.htm ''Klar til konkurrence'']" ["Ready for Competition"]. ''Travel People''. 1 January 2011. Retrieved 5 May 2012. {{in lang|da}}</ref> On 13 June, SAS announced its intention to sell its stake in Air Greenland,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://se.yhp.waymaker.net/sasgroup/release.asp?id=149514 |work=[[SAS Group]] |date=13 June 2007 |title=New direction will ensure SASs future |access-date=17 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723090520/http://se.yhp.waymaker.net/sasgroup/release.asp?id=149514 |archive-date=23 July 2011 }}</ref> a move later incorporated into its restructuring programme,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://e24.no/boers-og-finans/article2904167.ece |title=SAS i krise: SAS-sjefen har stor tro på fremtiden |work=[[E24 Næringsliv]] |date=3 February 2009 |language=no |access-date=17 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100101022549/http://e24.no/boers-og-finans/article2904167.ece |archive-date=1 January 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://sermitsiaq.gl/erhverv/article73553.ece |title=SAS sælger Air Greenland aktier |work=[[Sermitsiaq (newspaper)|Sermitsiaq]] |date=3 February 2009 |language=da |access-date=17 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207200017/http://sermitsiaq.gl/erhverv/article73553.ece |archive-date=7 February 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> but as of 2012 it has not found any buyers. On 1 October, the airline introduced its [[Electronic ticket|e-ticket]] system.<ref name="report2008">{{cite web|url=http://airgreenland.com/files/pdf/aarsberetning/en/090330_Air_Greenland_Annual_Report_2008.pdf |title=Annual Report 2008 |publisher=Air Greenland |access-date=19 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524143317/http://airgreenland.com/files/pdf/aarsberetning/en/090330_Air_Greenland_Annual_Report_2008.pdf |archive-date=24 May 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Also in 2007, Air Greenland began direct service with [[Baltimore/Washington International Airport]] in the United States of America. After sixty American visitors were stranded by a strike of Air Greenland employees and the company refused to make alternate arrangements for their return,<ref>Rubin, Michael. "[https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/stranded-greenland-michael-rubin/ Stranded in Greenland]". ''National Review''. 29 August 2007. Retrieved 14 July 2018.</ref> ticket sales slumped and the route was closed in March 2008.<ref name="report2008"/>

In 2009, the airline carried 399,000 passengers.<ref name="report2009">{{cite web |url=http://airgreenland.com/files/pdf/aarsberetning/en/090331_Air_Greenland_Annual_Report_2009.pdf |title=Air Greenland Annual Report 2009 |date=15 March 2010 |work=airgreenland.com |publisher=Air Greenland Inc |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100601210658/http://airgreenland.com/files/pdf/aarsberetning/en/090331_Air_Greenland_Annual_Report_2009.pdf |archive-date=1 June 2010 |access-date=14 January 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[File:Air Greenland Dash 8-200 OY-GRM at Nuuk Airport.png|thumb|[[Bombardier Dash 8]] turboprops were added to the Air Greenland fleet in 2010 and are used for scheduled and [[charter flight]]s, such as the shuttle service for the [[Inuit Circumpolar Council]] 2010 conference in Nuuk.]]

===2010s===
In the 2010s, Air Greenland curtailed some services. On 1 January 2010, Air Greenland suspended its participation in SAS's [[EuroBonus]] [[frequent-flyer program]] due to technical difficulties.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://sermitsiaq.gl/indland/article100291.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110815125544/http://sermitsiaq.ag/node/71111 |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 August 2011 |title=Air Greenland dropper Eurobonus |work=[[Sermitsiaq (newspaper)|Sermitsiaq]] |date=21 October 2009 |language=da |access-date=17 May 2010}}</ref> In 2011, nonstop service from Narsarsuaq to Copenhagen was suspended.<ref name="binz">{{cite news |url=http://sermitsiaq.gl/erhverv/article103270.ece |title=Stor interesse for debat med Binzer |work=[[Sermitsiaq (newspaper)|Sermitsiaq]] |date=18 November 2009 |language=da |access-date=17 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091122123233/http://sermitsiaq.gl/erhverv/article103270.ece |archive-date=22 November 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Air Greenland">{{cite web|url=http://airgreenland.com/om_air_greenland/fly_og_helikoptere/dash-8-200/ |publisher=Air Greenland |title=Fleet: Aircraft and Helicopters: Dash-8-200 |access-date=17 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100823055430/http://airgreenland.com/om_air_greenland/fly_og_helikoptere/dash-8-200/ |archive-date=23 August 2010 }}</ref>

However, some expansion is planned. In order to compete with [[Icelandair]], which operates service from [[Reykjavik Airport]] to Nuuk, Narsarsuaq, [[Ilulissat]] and the east coast of Greenland<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airiceland.is/AirIceland/Destinations/ |publisher=[[Air Iceland]] |title=Air Iceland's Destinations |access-date=19 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100624045451/http://www.airiceland.is/AirIceland/Destinations/ |archive-date=24 June 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and now controls about 15% the market in Greenland-bound travel,<ref name="TP2011"/> Air Greenland may open a nonstop route between Nuuk and [[Keflavík International Airport]] in [[Iceland]].<ref name="restrict">{{cite news |url=http://sermitsiaq.gl/erhverv/article115147.ece |title=Erhvervsliv raser mod Air Greenland |work=[[Sermitsiaq (newspaper)|Sermitsiaq]] |date=14 April 2010 |language=da |access-date=17 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100415231218/http://sermitsiaq.gl/erhverv/article115147.ece |archive-date=15 April 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Also, owing to improved technology and [[2000s commodities boom|higher commodity prices]], the [[Maarmorilik]] mines were due to reopen in November 2010<ref name="knr">{{cite news |url=http://www.knr.gl/index.php?id=183&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=55598&cHash=fde878b4e3 |title=Maarmorilik udvides |work=[[Kalaallit Nunaata Radioa]] |language=da |date=27 April 2010 |access-date=17 May 2010}}</ref> with [[zinc]] and [[iron ore]] reserves projected to last 50 years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.knr.gl/index.php?id=4532&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=55642&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=6779&cHash=5e98642c37 |title=Maarmorilik har zink og jern til 50 år |work=[[Kalaallit Nunaata Radioa]] |language=da |date=27 April 2010 |access-date=17 May 2010}}</ref> As in the 1970s, the mine's supply flights to the mine will be operated by Air Greenland, using [[Bell helicopters]] ([[Bell 212|212s]]) based out of the [[Uummannaq Heliport]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.angelmining.com/assets/files/BAM-News-3.pdf |publisher=Angelmining plc |title=Black Angel News, the newsletter about the Black Angel Project in Greenland |access-date=19 May 2010 |archive-date=19 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319124432/http://www.angelmining.com/assets/files/BAM-News-3.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Air Greenland's last remaining [[Twin Otter]] was sold in 2011 to [[Norlandair]] in exchange for cash and a one-fourth interest in the Icelandic company.{{citation needed|date=May 2012}}

Reopening the connection to Iqaluit, now the capital of [[Nunavut]], was considered by Air Greenland in late 2009, but finally happened in 2012.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://sermitsiaq.gl/erhverv/article97117.ece |title=Iqaluit rute udsat |work=[[Sermitsiaq (newspaper)|Sermitsiaq]] |date=18 September 2009 |language=da |access-date=17 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090928215207/http://sermitsiaq.gl/erhverv/article97117.ece |archive-date=28 September 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> From 2012 to 2013, the airline saw a shy increase of 4 passengers flying to Nunavut over the previous year.<ref>{{cite web |author=Murphy |first=David |date=6 August 2013 |title=Air Greenland toughs it out on Nunavut-Greenland route |url=https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/65674air_greenland_toughs_out_nunavut-greenland_route/ |access-date=30 June 2017 |website=Nunatsiaqonline.ca}}</ref> However, this service ceased in 2015.<ref>{{cite news |date=6 March 2015 |title=Air Greenland cuts Nuuk-Iqaluit scheduled flights in 2015 |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/air-greenland-cuts-nuuk-iqaluit-scheduled-flights-in-2015-1.2985006 |access-date=7 November 2015 |work=CBC News}}</ref>

In July 2015, Air Greenland became a member of the [[European Regions Airline Association]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icenews.is/2015/07/22/air-greenland-becomes-european-regions-airline-association-member/|title=Air Greenland becomes European Regions Airline Association member|website=Icenews.is|date=22 July 2015|author=Erlingur Nordal|access-date=30 June 2017}}</ref>

Prior to 2016, Air Greenland held a 50% stake in the [[Arctic Umiaq Line]], an unprofitable but government-subsidised ferry service, with the other 50% controlled by [[Royal Arctic Line]]. In 2016 Air Greenland sold its stake in the company to Royal Arctic Line, and since July 1, 2016 the Arctic Umiaq Line has operated as a wholly owned subsidiary of Royal Arctic Line.<ref>{{cite web |title=Annual Report 2016 |url=https://www.royalarcticline.com/media/559305/annual_report_2016_web1.pdf |publisher=Royal Arctic Line A/S |access-date=27 November 2021}}</ref>


==Destinations==
==Destinations==
Air Greenland's domestic airport network includes 12 civilian airports within Greenland. Outside Greenland, the airline currently operates year-round transatlantic flights to [[Keflavík International Airport]] in Iceland and [[Copenhagen Airport]] in Denmark. It also offers seasonal service to [[Billund Airport|Billund]] and [[Aalborg Airport|Aalborg]] in Denmark, as well as [[Iqaluit Airport|Iqaluit]] in Canada.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=2025 flight schedule expanded with new options |url=https://www.airgreenland.com/news/2025-flight-schedule-expanded-with-new-options/ |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=www.airgreenland.com}}</ref>
[[File:AirGreenland Airbus (11833458766).jpg|thumb|Air Greenland [[Airbus A330-200]] on approach to [[Kangerlussuaq Airport]] in 2004.]]
[[File:AirGreenland Dash7 (11832984313).jpg|thumb|right|The route from [[Kulusuk Airport]] to Iceland, previously operated with [[DHC-7]]s, was handed over to [[Air Iceland]] under government contract.<ref name="icelandair"/>]]


Two [[international airport]]s capable of serving large airliners – [[Kangerlussuaq Airport]] and [[Narsarsuaq Airport]] – were constructed as U.S. Air Force military bases during [[World War II|WW2]] and continue to be used for transatlantic flights.<ref name="book">{{cite web |title=Booking system |url=http://book.airgreenland.com/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100422211033/http://book.airgreenland.com/ |archive-date=22 April 2010 |access-date=16 May 2010 |publisher=Air Greenland}}</ref> All other regional airports are only [[STOL]]-capable and are served with smaller [[De Havilland Canada Dash 8|De Havilland Canada Dash 8-200]] fixed-wing aircraft.
Air Greenland's domestic airport network includes all 13 civilian airports within Greenland. Outside Greenland, the airline currently operates transatlantic flights to [[Keflavík International Airport]] in Iceland and [[Copenhagen Airport]] in Denmark.


After the completion of the major renovation and runway expansion ongoing at Nuuk Airport, Air Greenland's transatlantic hub will transition from Kangerlussuaq to [[Nuuk Airport]] in November 2024, with their Airbus A330-800.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Jameson |first=Julietta |date=2024-08-23 |title=New airport makes one of the world's most incredible places more accessible |url=https://www.smh.com.au/traveller/travel-news/new-airport-makes-one-of-the-world-s-most-incredible-places-more-accessible-20240802-p5jyvy.html |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref>
Two [[international airport]]s capable of serving large airliners – [[Kangerlussuaq Airport]] and [[Narsarsuaq Airport]] – were constructed as U.S. Air Force military bases during the Second World War and continue to be used for transatlantic flights.<ref name="book"/> All other regional airports are STOL-capable and are served with Dash 7 and Dash 8 fixed-wing aircraft.


Smaller communities are served via a network of 45 [[Heliport|heliports]]: 8 of which are primary heliports which have tarmac landing areas, passenger terminals and permanent staff. The other heliports are helistops with either a gravel or grass landing area. Often helicopters need multiple flights for each connection to a fixed-wing flight because of passenger capacity, causing longer total travel time. The primary heliports usually connect to the wider domestic fixed-wing services. Primary heliports inclue [[Upernavik Airport|Upernavik Airport/Heliport]], serving northwest Greenland; [[Uummannaq Heliport|Uummannaq]] served by [[Qaarsut Airport]]; [[Narsaq Kujalleq Heliport|Narsaq]], [[Qaqortoq Heliport|Qaqortoq]], [[Nanortalik Heliport|Nanortalik]] which are connected by the larger [[Narsarsuaq Airport]]; and [[Tasiilaq Heliport|Tasiilaq]] which is served by [[Kulusuk Airport]].<ref name="book" /><ref name=":3" />
Smaller communities are served via heliports which connect with hubs located at Upernavik Airport in the [[Upernavik Archipelago]] in northwestern Greenland; at Uummannaq Heliport in the [[Uummannaq Fjord]] region in northwestern Greenland; at Ilulissat and Aasiaat Airports in the [[Disko Bay]] region in western Greenland; at [[Qaqortoq Heliport|Qaqortoq]] and [[Nanortalik Heliport]]s in southern Greenland; and at [[Tasiilaq Heliport]] in southeastern Greenland.<ref name="book"/> Of the 45 heliports in use, 8 are primary and equipped with a tarmac, a terminal building and permanent staff. The other heliports are helistops with either a gravel or grass landing area. Often helicopters need to make more than one flight for each connection to a fixed-wing flight because of passenger capacity, causing longer total travel time.


The only civilian airport which Air Greenland does not serve with fixed-wing aircraft is [[Nerlerit Inaat Airport]]: [[Norlandair]] provides fixed-wing services to [[Iceland]] while Air Greenland provides local helicopter transport to larger towns including [[Ittoqqortoormiit]].<ref name=":3" />
Air Greenland also performs charter flights within Europe on behalf of European travel agencies using its [[Airbus A330]].<ref>Air Greenland A330 operating Copenhagen to Tenerife for Thomas Cook Airlines Scandinavia {{cite web |url=http://jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=257427 |title=View photo |access-date=11 April 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216042536/http://jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=257427 |archive-date=16 December 2013 }}</ref> In 2015, Greenland's coalition governments voted to extend the runways of Nuuk and Ilulissat airports; this directly threatened the need for Air Greenland's single widebody aircraft.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/54909-greenlands-runway-extension-plans-threaten-air-greenland|title=Greenland's runway extension plans threaten Air Greenland|website=Ch-aviation.com|date=6 April 2017|access-date=30 June 2017}}</ref> The A330 was only used from Pituffik and Kangerlussuaq to Copenhagen Kastrup, but in January 2017, Air Greenland had announced more commercial routes to be covered by the aircraft between Iceland and Greenland.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/52583-air-greenland-to-deploy-widebody-metal-on-iceland-flights|title=Air Greenland to deploy widebody metal on Iceland flights|website=Ch-aviation.com|date=19 January 2017|access-date=30 June 2017}}</ref> In March 2017, Air Greenland also announced adding more flights to Kangerlussuaq.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviationtribune.com/airlines/europe/air-greenland-add-flights-kangerlussuaq/|title=Air Greenland to Add More flights to Kangerlussuaq|website=Aviationtribune.com|date=9 March 2017|access-date=30 June 2017}}</ref>


[[File:Air Greenland Dash 8-200 OY-GRM at Nuuk Airport.png|thumb|[[De Havilland Canada Dash 8|De Havilland Canada Dash 8-200]] aircraft serve the many domestic STOL airports in Greenland.]]
===Interline agreements===

===Codeshare and interline agreements===
The agreement makes it again possible to combine a trip, in one ticket.
The agreement makes it again possible to combine a trip, in one ticket.


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* [[Scandinavian Airlines]] (Scandinavia/Europe/International)<ref>[http://www.airgreenland.com/about/news/air-greenland-og-sas-indgaar-ny-og-udvidet-samarbejdsaftale Air Greenland and SAS enters a new and enhanced cooperation]</ref>
* [[Scandinavian Airlines]] (Scandinavia/Europe/International)<ref>[http://www.airgreenland.com/about/news/air-greenland-og-sas-indgaar-ny-og-udvidet-samarbejdsaftale Air Greenland and SAS enters a new and enhanced cooperation]</ref>
* [[Canadian North]] (Canada)
* [[Canadian North]] (Canada)
A more comprehensive [[codeshare agreement]] with [[Icelandair]] will be introduced from summer 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Air Greenland and Icelandair sign a partnership agreement |url=https://www.airgreenland.com/news/air-greenland-and-icelandair-sign-a-partnership-agreement/ |access-date=2024-10-30 |website=www.airgreenland.com}}</ref>


=== Settlement flights ===
=== Settlement flights ===
Air Greenland operates helicopter flights to most settlements in Greenland ("settlement flights"<ref name="classes"/>) on contract with the government of Greenland,<ref name="contract">{{cite web|url=http://dk.nanoq.gl/Emner/Om%20Groenland/Trafikforhold.aspx |publisher=[[Government of Greenland]] |title=Trafikforhold |language=da |access-date=10 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100809211027/http://dk.nanoq.gl/Emner/Om%20Groenland/Trafikforhold.aspx |archive-date=9 August 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> with the destination network subsidized and coordinated by the Ministry of Housing, Infrastructure and Transport.<ref name="ministry"/> Settlement flights are not featured in the company's timetable, although they can be pre-booked.<ref name="book"/>
Air Greenland operates helicopter flights to most settlements in Greenland ("settlement flights"<ref name="classes" />) on contract with the government of Greenland,<ref name="contract">{{cite web|url=http://dk.nanoq.gl/Emner/Om%20Groenland/Trafikforhold.aspx |publisher=[[Government of Greenland]] |title=Trafikforhold |language=da |access-date=10 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100809211027/http://dk.nanoq.gl/Emner/Om%20Groenland/Trafikforhold.aspx |archive-date=9 August 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> with the destination network subsidized and coordinated by the Ministry of Housing, Infrastructure and Transport.<ref name="ministry" /> Settlement flights are not featured in the company's timetable, although they can be pre-booked.<ref name="book" />


Departure times for these flights as specified during booking are by definition approximate, with the settlement service optimised on the fly depending on local demand for a given day. Settlement flights in the Disko Bay region are unique in that they are operated only during winter and spring. During summer and autumn, transport between settlements is only by sea, with services operated by [[Diskoline]], a government-contracted ferry service based in Ilulissat.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://diskoline.gl/index.php?page_label=schedule |title=Timetable |publisher=[[Diskoline]] |access-date=17 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090522055345/http://diskoline.gl/index.php?page_label=schedule |archive-date=22 May 2009 }}</ref>
Departure times for these flights as specified during booking are by definition approximate, with the settlement service optimised on the fly depending on local demand for a given day. Settlement flights in the Disko Bay region are unique in that they are operated only during winter and spring. During summer and autumn, transport between settlements is only by sea, with services operated by [[Diskoline]], a government-contracted ferry service based in Ilulissat.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://diskoline.gl/index.php?page_label=schedule |title=Timetable |publisher=[[Diskoline]] |access-date=17 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090522055345/http://diskoline.gl/index.php?page_label=schedule |archive-date=22 May 2009 }}</ref>


==Fleet==
==Fleet==
[[File:Air Greenland A330 800neo OY-GKN nicknamed Tuukkaq.png|thumb|Air Greenland's flagship [[A330-800]] nicknamed ''Tuukkaq,'' delivered in 2022.]]
[[File:AirGreenland Airbus (11832722805).jpg|thumb|The [[Airbus A330|Airbus A330-200]] pictured (named ''Norsaq'') was Air Greenland's only jet aircraft from 2003 to 2022. It was used on the airline's long-haul routes. It has now been retired and replaced by an Airbus A330-800 (named ''Tuukkaq''), delivered to the airline on 6 December 2022.|alt=Norsaq, the A330-200 formerly used by Air Greenland]]
[[File:Air Greenland A330 800neo OY-GKN nicknamed Tuukkaq.png|thumb|The new [[A330-800]] nicknamed ''Tuukkaq'']]


As of December 2022, the Air Greenland fleet includes the following active aircraft:<ref name="Fleet">{{cite web|url=https://www.airgreenland.com/about-us/fleet/ |title=Our Fleet |publisher=Air Greenland |access-date=8 December 2022}}</ref>
As of October 2024, the Air Greenland fleet includes the following active aircraft:<ref name="Fleet">{{cite web|url=https://www.airgreenland.com/about-us/fleet/ |title=Our Fleet |publisher=Air Greenland |access-date=8 December 2022}}</ref>


===Fixed-wing fleet===
===Fixed-wing fleet===
[[File:AirGreenland beech1 (11832703995).jpg|thumb|Air Greenland's [[Beechcraft Super King Air]] (named ''Amaalik'') is used for ambulance flights for the Greenlandic Government.]]
[[File:AirGreenland beech1 (11832703995).jpg|thumb|Air Greenland's [[Beechcraft Super King Air]] (named ''Amaalik'') is used for ambulance flights for the Greenlandic Government.]]
The [[De Havilland Canada DHC-8]] is the airline's primary aircraft, operating on all domestic airport-to-airport routes. In 2010, the airline acquired its first Dash 8 aircraft.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://sermitsiaq.gl/indland/article116841.ece |title=Første Dash 8 lander i Nuuk |work=[[Sermitsiaq (newspaper)|Sermitsiaq]] |date=30 April 2010 |language=da |access-date=17 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100503112638/http://sermitsiaq.gl/indland/article116841.ece |archive-date=3 May 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
The airline's flagship aircraft is their sole [[Airbus A330neo|Airbus A330-800]], delivered new in 2022. The [[De Havilland Canada DHC-8-100/200 Dash 8|De Havilland Canada DHC-8-200]] is the airline's primary aircraft, operating on all domestic airport-to-airport routes. In 2010, the airline acquired its first Dash 8 aircraft.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://sermitsiaq.gl/indland/article116841.ece |title=Første Dash 8 lander i Nuuk |work=[[Sermitsiaq (newspaper)|Sermitsiaq]] |date=30 April 2010 |language=da |access-date=17 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100503112638/http://sermitsiaq.gl/indland/article116841.ece |archive-date=3 May 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Air Greenland also leases capacity from charter airline [[Jettime]] for seasonal routes.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Air Greenland's flight schedules are packed with news |url=https://www.airgreenland.com/news/air-greenlands-flight-schedules-are-packed-with-news/ |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=www.airgreenland.com}}</ref>


The Air Greenland fixed-wing fleet consists of the following aircraft as of November 2023:<ref name="Fleet"/>
The Air Greenland fixed-wing fleet consists of the following aircraft as of October 2024:<ref name="Fleet" />


{| class="wikitable" style="border-collapse:collapse; text-align:center; margin: 1em auto;"
{| class="wikitable" style="border-collapse:collapse; text-align:center; margin: 1em auto;"
|+ '''Air Greenland fixed-wing fleet'''
|+ '''Air Greenland fixed-wing fleet'''
|- style="background:#ba0032;"
|- style="background:#ba0032;"
!rowspan=2 style="background:#ba0032;color:white;" |Aircraft
! rowspan="2" style="background:#ba0032;color:white;" |Aircraft
!rowspan=2 style="background:#ba0032;color:white;" |In service
! rowspan="2" style="background:#ba0032;color:white;" |In service
!rowspan=2 style="background:#ba0032;color:white;" |Orders
! rowspan="2" style="background:#ba0032;color:white;" |Orders
!colspan=3 style="background:#ba0032;color:white;" |Passengers
! colspan="3" style="background:#ba0032;color:white;" |Passengers
!rowspan=2 style="background:#ba0032;color:white;" |Notes
! rowspan="2" style="background:#ba0032;color:white;" |Notes
|-
|-
!style="background:#ba0032;color:white;"|<abbr title="Business Class">C</abbr>
! style="background:#ba0032;color:white;" |<abbr title="Business Class">C</abbr>
!style="background:#ba0032;color:white;"|<abbr title="Economy Class">Y</abbr>
! style="background:#ba0032;color:white;" |<abbr title="Economy Class">Y</abbr>
!style="background:#ba0032;color:white;"|Total
! style="background:#ba0032;color:white;" |Total
|-
|-
|[[Airbus A330neo|Airbus A330-800]]
|[[Airbus A330neo|Airbus A330-800]]
Line 164: Line 100:
|263
|263
|305
|305
|
|OY-GKN{{cn|date=June 2024}}
|-
|-
|[[Beechcraft Super King Air|Beechcraft B200 King Air]]
|[[Beechcraft Super King Air|Beechcraft B200 King Air]]
|2
|1
|—
|—
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|8
|8
|
|Operating as an air ambulance plane in Greenland.
|-
|-
|[[De Havilland Canada Dash 8|De Havilland Canada Dash 8-200]]
|[[De Havilland Canada Dash 8|De Havilland Canada Dash 8-200]]
|7
|8
|5
|
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|37
|37
Line 185: Line 121:
!10
!10
!5
!5
!colspan="4"|
! colspan="4" |
|}
|}


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[[File:Secretary Blinken Takes an Aerial Tour of Ice Cap and Fjords (51193749121).jpg|thumb|Airbus H225 near [[Kangerlussuaq]] in 2021]]
[[File:Secretary Blinken Takes an Aerial Tour of Ice Cap and Fjords (51193749121).jpg|thumb|Airbus H225 near [[Kangerlussuaq]] in 2021]]


The Bell 212 is the primary helicopter used for flights to district villages.
The Airbus H155 is the primary helicopter used for flights to district villages.


The Air Greenland helicopter fleet consists of the following aircraft ({{as of|May 2021|lc=y}}):
The Air Greenland helicopter fleet consists of the following aircraft ({{as of|October 2024|lc=y}}):
{| class="toccolours" border="1" cellpadding="3" style="border-collapse:collapse;text-align:center;margin: 1em auto;"
{| class="toccolours" border="1" cellpadding="3" style="border-collapse:collapse;text-align:center;margin: 1em auto;"
|+ '''Air Greenland helicopter fleet'''
|+ '''Air Greenland helicopter fleet'''
Line 203: Line 139:
|'''<span style="color:white;">Purpose</span>'''
|'''<span style="color:white;">Purpose</span>'''
|-
|-
|[[Airbus H225]]<ref name="Airbus H225"/>
|[[Airbus H225]]<ref name="Airbus H225" />
|2
|2
|19{{refn|group=note|Though capable of carrying up to 19 passengers for regular service, the H225 is ordinarily configured for search and rescue operations, capable of carrying up to 6 stretchers<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2019/10/air-greenland-selects-airbus-h225-helicopter-for-search-and-rescue.html|title=Air Greenland selects Airbus H225 helicopter for search and rescue|work=Airbus S.A.S.}}</ref>}}
|19{{refn|group=note|Though capable of carrying up to 19 passengers for regular service, the H225 is ordinarily configured for search and rescue operations, capable of carrying up to 6 stretchers<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2019/10/air-greenland-selects-airbus-h225-helicopter-for-search-and-rescue.html|title=Air Greenland selects Airbus H225 helicopter for search and rescue|work=Airbus S.A.S.}}</ref>}}
|[[Search and Rescue|SAR]]
|[[Search and Rescue|SAR]]
|-
|-
|[[Bell 212]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Bell 212 |url=https://www.airgreenland.com/charter/fleet/bell-212 |website=Air Greeland |access-date=22 May 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
|[[Eurocopter EC155|Airbus H155]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our fleet {{!}} Air Greenland |url=https://www.airgreenland.com/about-us/fleet/ |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=www.airgreenland.com}}</ref>
|8
|7
|9
|12
|Domestic <br/> Charter
|Domestic routes
|-
|-
|[[Eurocopter AS350]]<ref name="Airbus H225">{{cite web |title=Airbus H225 |url=https://www.airgreenland.com/charter/fleet/airbus-h225 |website=Air Greenland |access-date=22 May 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
|[[Eurocopter AS350|Airbus AS350]]<ref name="Airbus H225">{{cite web |title=Airbus H225 |url=https://www.airgreenland.com/charter/fleet/airbus-h225 |website=Air Greenland |access-date=22 May 2021 |language=en }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
|9
|9
|5
|5
|Domestic <br/> Charter
|Domestic routes/charter
|-
|-
!Total
!Total
!19
!18
!colspan="5"|
! colspan="3" |
|}
|}


Line 226: Line 162:


===Historical fleet===
===Historical fleet===
The older Sikorsky S-61N helicopters were stationed in Ilulissat Airport and Qaqortoq Heliport. With a capacity to seat 25 passengers,<ref name="Air Greenland"/> the S-61 based in southern Greenland was used to shuttle passengers arriving from Copenhagen at Narsarsuaq Airport. The sale of the Boeing 757 in April 2010 contributed to the long-term decline of the airport,<ref name="restrict"/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://sermitsiaq.gl/leder/article117037.ece |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120525102122/http://sermitsiaq.gl/leder/article117037.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 May 2012 |title=Sermitsiaq mener: Farvel til atlantruten |work=[[Sermitsiaq (newspaper)|Sermitsiaq]] |date=3 May 2010 |language=da |access-date=17 May 2010 }}</ref> with the airline planning to remove the old helicopter from the fleet.<ref name="report2009"/>
The older Sikorsky S-61N helicopters were stationed in Ilulissat Airport and Qaqortoq Heliport. With a capacity to seat 25 passengers,<ref name="Air Greenland">{{cite web |title=Fleet: Aircraft and Helicopters: Dash-8-200 |url=http://airgreenland.com/om_air_greenland/fly_og_helikoptere/dash-8-200/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100823055430/http://airgreenland.com/om_air_greenland/fly_og_helikoptere/dash-8-200/ |archive-date=23 August 2010 |access-date=17 May 2010 |publisher=Air Greenland}}</ref> the S-61 based in southern Greenland was used to shuttle passengers arriving from Copenhagen at Narsarsuaq Airport. The sale of the Boeing 757 in April 2010 contributed to the long-term decline of the airport,<ref name="restrict">{{cite news |date=14 April 2010 |title=Erhvervsliv raser mod Air Greenland |url=http://sermitsiaq.gl/erhverv/article115147.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100415231218/http://sermitsiaq.gl/erhverv/article115147.ece |archive-date=15 April 2010 |access-date=17 May 2010 |work=[[Sermitsiaq (newspaper)|Sermitsiaq]] |language=da}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{cite news |url=http://sermitsiaq.gl/leder/article117037.ece |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120525102122/http://sermitsiaq.gl/leder/article117037.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 May 2012 |title=Sermitsiaq mener: Farvel til atlantruten |work=[[Sermitsiaq (newspaper)|Sermitsiaq]] |date=3 May 2010 |language=da |access-date=17 May 2010 }}</ref> with the airline planning to remove the old helicopter from the fleet.<ref name="report2009">{{cite web |date=15 March 2010 |title=Air Greenland Annual Report 2009 |url=http://airgreenland.com/files/pdf/aarsberetning/en/090331_Air_Greenland_Annual_Report_2009.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100601210658/http://airgreenland.com/files/pdf/aarsberetning/en/090331_Air_Greenland_Annual_Report_2009.pdf |archive-date=1 June 2010 |access-date=14 January 2011 |work=airgreenland.com |publisher=Air Greenland Inc}}</ref> The airline's Airbus A330-200 was scrapped in 2023, after delivery of its new A330-800.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sipinski |first=Dominik |date=2023-02-23 |title=Air Greenland retires A330-200 ops, moves to A330-900 ops |url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/news/124666-air-greenland-retires-a330-200-moves-to-a330neo-ops#:~:text=Air%20Greenland%20(GL%2C%20Nuuk),trunk%20service%20to%20Copenhagen%20Kastrup. |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=ch-aviation}}</ref>


In the past, Air Greenland (Grønlandsfly) also used the following aircraft:<ref>{{citation| url= http://50.airgreenland.dk/flyflaaden/| publisher= Air Greenland| title= Overview of historical fleet with photographs| access-date= 17 May 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100528034028/http://50.airgreenland.dk/flyflaaden/| archive-date= 28 May 2010| url-status= dead}}</ref>
In the past, Air Greenland (Grønlandsfly) also used the following aircraft:<ref>{{citation| url= http://50.airgreenland.dk/flyflaaden/| publisher= Air Greenland| title= Overview of historical fleet with photographs| access-date= 17 May 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100528034028/http://50.airgreenland.dk/flyflaaden/| archive-date= 28 May 2010| url-status= dead}}</ref>
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==Management and structure==
==Management and structure==
{{multiple image
{{multiple image
|align=center
| align = center
|direction=horizontal
| direction = horizontal
|total_width=600
| total_width = 600
|image1=Air Greenland headquarters, Nuuk (Quintin Soloviev).png
| image1 = Air Greenland headquarters, Nuuk (Quintin Soloviev).png
|alt1=Air Greenland headquarters in Nuuk
| alt1 = Air Greenland headquarters in Nuuk
|caption1=Air Greenland headquarters in [[Nuuk]]
| caption1 = Air Greenland headquarters in [[Nuuk]]
|image2=Nuuk-airport-air-greenland-hangars.jpg
| image2 = Nuuk-airport-air-greenland-hangars.jpg
|alt2=Air Greenland hangars at Nuuk Airport in 2010
| alt2 = Air Greenland hangars at Nuuk Airport in 2010
|caption2=Air Greenland hangars at [[Nuuk Airport]] (2010)
| caption2 = Air Greenland hangars at [[Nuuk Airport]] (2010)
}}
}}


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The Air Greenland board of directors has a total of nine members, including three members representing airline employees. The current chairman is Mr Kjeld Zacho Jørgensen (appointed 2018) and the deputy-chairman is Ms Bodil Marie Damgaard (appointed 2016). The CEO of Air Greenland is Jakob Nitter Sørensen appointed in January 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.airgreenland.com/about/organisation|title=Air Greenland – Organization|date=21 June 2019|website=Air Greenland|access-date=2 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220235953/https://www.airgreenland.com/about/organisation|archive-date=20 December 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The Air Greenland board of directors has a total of nine members, including three members representing airline employees. The current chairman is Mr Kjeld Zacho Jørgensen (appointed 2018) and the deputy-chairman is Ms Bodil Marie Damgaard (appointed 2016). The CEO of Air Greenland is Jakob Nitter Sørensen appointed in January 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.airgreenland.com/about/organisation|title=Air Greenland – Organization|date=21 June 2019|website=Air Greenland|access-date=2 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220235953/https://www.airgreenland.com/about/organisation|archive-date=20 December 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>


Headquartered in Nuuk,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://airgreenland.com/kontakt/ |title=Contact |publisher=Air Greenland |access-date=17 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100426004444/http://airgreenland.com/kontakt/ |archive-date=26 April 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> the airline had 668 employees in December 2009.<ref name="report2009"/> The airline's technical base is located at [[Nuuk Airport]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://knr.gl/index.php?id=183&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=58108&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=143&cHash=c17e973e18 |title=Flyvetryghedskursus i Nuuk |work=[[Kalaallit Nunaata Radioa]] |language=da |date=17 July 2010 |access-date=10 August 2010}}</ref>
Headquartered in Nuuk,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://airgreenland.com/kontakt/ |title=Contact |publisher=Air Greenland |access-date=17 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100426004444/http://airgreenland.com/kontakt/ |archive-date=26 April 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> the airline had 668 employees in December 2009.<ref name="report2009" /> The airline's technical base is located at [[Nuuk Airport]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://knr.gl/index.php?id=183&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=58108&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=143&cHash=c17e973e18 |title=Flyvetryghedskursus i Nuuk |work=[[Kalaallit Nunaata Radioa]] |language=da |date=17 July 2010 |access-date=10 August 2010}}</ref>


[[File:Air Greenland Bell 212 Helicopter (5392325560).jpg|thumb|right|An Air Greenland [[Bell 212]] on approach to [[Thule Air Base]] (2010)]]
[[File:Air Greenland Bell 212 Helicopter (5392325560).jpg|thumb|right|An Air Greenland [[Bell 212]] on approach to [[Thule Air Base]] (2010)]]
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The charter unit within Air Greenland is led by Hans Peter Hansen and employs 8 people, with 13 helicopters and 3 fixed-wing aircraft at its disposal.<ref name="suluk2010_2">{{cite journal|author=Christian Schultz-Lorentzen |journal=Suluk |year=2010 |volume=1 |publisher=Air Greenland |title=Air Greenland Charter − Arctic specialist |pages=28–29}}</ref> Excess capacity of airplanes is used for regular charters to tourist destinations in Europe, Asia, and Africa.
The charter unit within Air Greenland is led by Hans Peter Hansen and employs 8 people, with 13 helicopters and 3 fixed-wing aircraft at its disposal.<ref name="suluk2010_2">{{cite journal|author=Christian Schultz-Lorentzen |journal=Suluk |year=2010 |volume=1 |publisher=Air Greenland |title=Air Greenland Charter − Arctic specialist |pages=28–29}}</ref> Excess capacity of airplanes is used for regular charters to tourist destinations in Europe, Asia, and Africa.


The helicopters, primarily the AS350, are used for special flights, such as search and rescue, air ambulance,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://airgreenland.com/charter/ |title=Charter |publisher=Air Greenland |access-date=17 May 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100416164412/http://airgreenland.com/charter/| archive-date= 16 April 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> charter flights to the [[Thule Air Base]] on contract with the [[United States Air Force|U.S. Air Force]], geological exploration, and supply flights to the mining sites and the research stations on the [[Greenland ice sheet]].<ref name="report2009"/><ref name="suluk2010_2"/> During the peak summer season, the helicopter crew is supplemented by [[Freelancer|freelance]] pilots from [[Norway]] and [[Sweden]].<ref name="suluk2010_2"/>
The helicopters, primarily the AS350, are used for special flights, such as search and rescue, air ambulance,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://airgreenland.com/charter/ |title=Charter |publisher=Air Greenland |access-date=17 May 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100416164412/http://airgreenland.com/charter/| archive-date= 16 April 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> charter flights to the [[Thule Air Base]] on contract with the [[United States Air Force|U.S. Air Force]], geological exploration, and supply flights to the mining sites and the research stations on the [[Greenland ice sheet]].<ref name="report2009" /><ref name="suluk2010_2" /> During the peak summer season, the helicopter crew is supplemented by [[Freelancer|freelance]] pilots from Norway and Sweden.<ref name="suluk2010_2" />


Other charter flights include [[heliskiing]] shuttles, services for the energy industry such as facilitating [[arctic oil exploration|oil exploration]] or surveying for hydroelectric stations and environmental research counting [[polar bear]]s and tracking other large Arctic fauna.<ref name="suluk2010_2"/>
Other charter flights include [[heliskiing]] shuttles, services for the energy industry such as facilitating [[arctic oil exploration|oil exploration]] or surveying for hydroelectric stations and environmental research counting [[polar bear]]s and tracking other large Arctic fauna.<ref name="suluk2010_2" />


===Subsidiary companies===
===Subsidiary companies===
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==== Tourism ====
==== Tourism ====
* [[Hotel Arctic (Greenland)|Hotel Arctic A/S]], a hotel and travel agency based in Ilulissat, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Air Greenland.
* [[Hotel Arctic (Greenland)|Hotel Arctic A/S]], a hotel and travel agency based in Ilulissat, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Air Greenland.
* [[Greenland Travel]] A/S, a package-tour [[travel agency]] based in Copenhagen, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Air Greenland.<ref name="report2009"/><ref name="subsid">{{cite web|url=http://www.airgreenland.com/om_air_greenland/datterselskaber/ |publisher=Air Greenland |title=Subsidiary Companies |access-date=16 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524143321/http://airgreenland.com/om_air_greenland/datterselskaber/ |archive-date=24 May 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[Greenland Travel]] A/S, a package-tour [[travel agency]] based in Copenhagen, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Air Greenland.<ref name="report2009" /><ref name="subsid">{{cite web|url=http://www.airgreenland.com/om_air_greenland/datterselskaber/ |publisher=Air Greenland |title=Subsidiary Companies |access-date=16 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524143321/http://airgreenland.com/om_air_greenland/datterselskaber/ |archive-date=24 May 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
** [[World of Greenland]] A/S, an outfitter company based in Ilulissat, is a partnership between Greenland Travel A/S and Ilulissat Travel A/S.
** [[World of Greenland]] A/S, an outfitter company based in Ilulissat, is a partnership between Greenland Travel A/S and Ilulissat Travel A/S.


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[[File: Air-Greenland-nanoq-business-class-airbus-a330-norsaq.jpg|thumb|Business Class seats on the airline's former A330-200]]
[[File: Air-Greenland-nanoq-business-class-airbus-a330-norsaq.jpg|thumb|Business Class seats on the airline's former A330-200]]


===Business class===
===Premium class===
A flexible business class – named "''Business''-Class" – is offered by Air Greenland on transatlantic flights aboard ''Tuukkaq'', its Airbus A330-800.<ref name="nanoq">{{cite web |url=https://www.airgreenland.com/help/inflight/busines-class |title=Business Class |publisher=Air Greenland |access-date=17 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100501162028/https://www.airgreenland.com/help/inflight/busines-class |archive-date=1 May 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The service includes a personal video screen, an in-seat power source, an amenity kit, blankets and a selection of newspapers.<ref name="nanoq"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://aviisi.sermitsiaq.ag/stream.php?a=p&p=1529&s=0&l=0&cs=5114bf4fe0a1510fd3d6514e8c5233f6 |title=Suluk 2015 No.3 |publisher=Air Greenland |access-date=24 May 2015}}</ref> Passengers travelling in business class are eligible to use the Novia Business Class Lounge at Copenhagen Airport.<ref name="nanoq"/>
A business class – named "''Premium''-Class" – is offered by Air Greenland on transatlantic flights aboard ''Tuukkaq'', its Airbus A330-800.<ref name="nanoq">{{cite web |url=https://www.airgreenland.com/help/inflight/busines-class |title=Business Class |publisher=Air Greenland |access-date=17 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100501162028/https://www.airgreenland.com/help/inflight/busines-class |archive-date=1 May 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The service includes a larger seats, hot meal, a personal video screen, an in-seat power source, an amenity kit and blankets.<ref name="nanoq" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://aviisi.sermitsiaq.ag/stream.php?a=p&p=1529&s=0&l=0&cs=5114bf4fe0a1510fd3d6514e8c5233f6 |title=Suluk 2015 No.3 |publisher=Air Greenland |access-date=24 May 2015}}</ref> Passengers travelling in premium class are eligible to use the Novia Business Class Lounge at Copenhagen Airport.<ref name="nanoq" /> There are 42 Premium class seats on their Airbus A330-800, arranged in a 2-3-2 configuration.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Onboard on Tuukkaq |url=https://www.airgreenland.com/campaigns/onboard-on-tuukkaq/ |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=www.airgreenland.com}}</ref>


===Economy class===
===Economy class===
Air Greenland offers flexible and restricted economy class on all flights operated with fixed-wing aircraft, with complimentary snacks and drinks.<ref name="classes">{{cite web|url=http://airgreenland.com/information/bestillingafrejse/rejseprodukter |title=Our travel products |publisher=Air Greenland |access-date=17 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100713230958/http://airgreenland.com/information/bestillingafrejse/rejseprodukter |archive-date=13 July 2010 }}</ref> On transatlantic flights to Copenhagen, both economy class and business class seats are available, with [[airline meal|in-flight meal]]s served in all classes. Air Greenland publishes a quarterly ''Suluk'' ([[Kalaallisut language|Kalaallisut]]: "Wing") in-flight magazine,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://airgreenland.com/information/ombord/in-flight_magasin |title=Suluk, our In-flight magazine |publisher=Air Greenland |access-date=19 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100407181934/http://www.airgreenland.com/information/ombord/in-flight_magasin |archive-date=7 April 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> with general information about current political and cultural events in Greenland and with news from the airline.
Air Greenland offers flexible and restricted economy class on all flights operated with fixed-wing aircraft, with complimentary snacks and drinks.<ref name="classes">{{cite web|url=http://airgreenland.com/information/bestillingafrejse/rejseprodukter |title=Our travel products |publisher=Air Greenland |access-date=17 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100713230958/http://airgreenland.com/information/bestillingafrejse/rejseprodukter |archive-date=13 July 2010 }}</ref> On transatlantic flights to Copenhagen, both economy class and premium class seats are available, with [[airline meal|in-flight meal]]s served in all classes. Air Greenland publishes a quarterly ''Suluk'' ([[Kalaallisut language|Kalaallisut]]: "Wing") in-flight magazine,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://airgreenland.com/information/ombord/in-flight_magasin |title=Suluk, our In-flight magazine |publisher=Air Greenland |access-date=19 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100407181934/http://www.airgreenland.com/information/ombord/in-flight_magasin |archive-date=7 April 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> with general information about current political and cultural events in Greenland and with news from the airline. On board their Airbus A330-800, economy class is configured in a 2-4-2 configuration.
==History==
Founded in 1960 as ''Grønlandsfly'' (translates to ''Greenland aviation''), the airline started its first services with [[PBY Catalina|Catalina]] seaplanes and within the decade expanded to include [[de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter|DHC-3 Otter]]s as well as [[Sikorsky S-61]] helicopters. The majority of operations were based on helicopters until the newly established Greenland Home Rule began investing in a network of [[short takeoff and landing]] airfields. These were very expensive to construct and Greenland's airport fees are still among the highest in the world;<ref name="TP2011">"[http://www.travelpeople.dk/2011/2011110101.htm ''Klar til konkurrence'']" ["Ready for Competition"]. ''Travel People''. 1 January 2011. Retrieved 5 May 2012. {{in lang|da}}</ref> they also required a new fleet: [[De Havilland Canada Dash 7|DHC-7]] [[turboprop]]s uniquely suited to the harsh terrain and weather conditions in Greenland. The reliability of connections improved as the domestic airport network expanded in the 1990s: increasing use of the Dash 7s made the airline less restricted by inclement weather. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Air Greenland acquired a [[Boeing 757]] and an [[Airbus A330-200|Airbus A330]], allowing it to open connections to [[Copenhagen]], until then operated by [[Scandinavian Airlines|SAS]] which also competed mid to late 2000s. In the 21st century, it competes with [[Icelandair]] for international connections and small charter services domestically.

===1960s===
[[File:Kangerlussuaq-airport-air-greenland-sikorsky-s61n.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Sikorsky S-61|Sikorsky S-61N]] helicopter, acquired in 1965, was one of the earliest aircraft in Air Greenland's fleet.]]

The airline was established on 7 November 1960 as Grønlandsfly A/S,<ref name="hist">Air Greenland. "[http://www.airgreenland.dk/om_air_greenland/vores_historie/ Vores Historie] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121207074450/http://www.airgreenland.dk/om_air_greenland/vores_historie|date=7 December 2012}}" ["Our History"]. Retrieved 2 May 2012. {{in lang|da}}</ref> by the [[Scandinavian Airlines System]] (now SAS) and [[Kryolitselskabet Øresund]], a Danish mining company involved with the [[cryolite]] operations at [[Ivittuut]] to provide transport and logistics for four [[Distant Early Warning Line|American radar bases in Greenland]]. In 1962, interests in the firm were acquired by the [[Greenland Landsråd|Provincial Council]] (now the [[Greenland Home Rule Government]]) and the [[Royal Greenland Trade Department]] (now [[KNI A/S|KNI]]).<ref name="anni60">Air Greenland. "50 År: [http://50.airgreenland.dk/60'erne/ Grønlandsfly 1960–69] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528050947/http://50.airgreenland.dk/60'erne/|date=28 May 2010}}". Retrieved 16 May 2010. {{in lang|da}}</ref>

The first flights serving the American bases in Greenland operated lightweight [[de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter|DHC-3 Otters]] and [[Sikorsky S-55]] helicopters chartered from Canada.<ref name="anni60" /> After a crash in 1961, Grønlandsfly used [[PBY Catalina]] water planes and [[de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter|DHC-6 Twin Otter]]s on domestic routes. One of the Catalinas then crashed in 1962. In 1965, the [[Douglas DC-4]] became the line's first larger airplane. It was followed by Sikorsky S-61 helicopters, which have remained in use: in 2010, they still served the communities of [[Kujalleq]] [[municipalities of Greenland|municipality]] in southern Greenland year-round and those of [[Disko Bay]] during the winter.<ref name="fleet">{{cite web |title=Fleet: Aircraft and Helicopters |url=http://www.airgreenland.com/about/our-aircraft-and-helicopters |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130820120159/http://www.airgreenland.com/about/our-aircraft-and-helicopters |archive-date=20 August 2013 |access-date=4 September 2013 |publisher=Air Greenland}}</ref><ref name="book" />

===1970s===
[[File:Kangerlussuaq-airport-air-greenland-dhc6.jpg|thumb|right|Air Greenland's [[de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter|DHC-6 Twin Otter]]s were used for ambulance and charter flights, such as to the research base at [[Summit Camp]].]]

During the 1970s, Grønlandsfly upgraded its DC-4 to the newer [[Douglas DC-6|DC-6]],<ref name="anni70">Air Greenland. "50 Års: [http://50.airgreenland.dk/70'erne/ Grønlandsfly 1970–79] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528050952/http://50.airgreenland.dk/70'erne/|date=28 May 2010}}". Retrieved 10 August 2010. {{in lang|da}}</ref> but principally focused on expanding its helicopter fleet, purchasing five more S-61s. By 1972, it opened up service to east Greenland with a helicopter based in [[Tasiilaq]], and established Greenlandair Charter. Mining at [[Maamorilik]] in the [[Uummannaq Fjord]] required still more helicopters, and the airline purchased [[Bell 206]]s for the route. Grønlandsfly also picked up a Danish government contract to fly reconnaissance missions regarding the sea ice around Greenland.<ref name="anni70" />

By the end of 1979, the number of Grønlandsfly passengers served annually exceeded 60,000,<ref name="anni70" /> more than the population of Greenland.

===1980s===
[[File:Greenlandair Dash 7 Kangerlussuaq.jpg|thumb|right|Air Greenland used the -102 (''pictured'') and -103 variants of the Dash 7. The latter of this aircraft is equipped with a front cargo section.]]

The establishment of the [[Greenland Home Rule Government]] in 1979 led to investment in a regional network of true airports, with [[STOL|short take-off and landing]] (STOL) airfields constructed in Nuuk, [[Ilulissat Airport|Ilulissat]] (1984), and [[Kulusuk Airport|Kulusuk]].<ref name="anni80">Air Greenland. "50 Års: [http://50.airgreenland.dk/80'erne/ Grønlandsfly 1980–89] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528050957/http://50.airgreenland.dk/80'erne/|date=28 May 2010}}". Retrieved 17 May 2010. {{in lang|da}}</ref> (These early airports were built without de-icing equipment, a situation which has proven problematic during Greenland's winters and continues to cause delays and losses for the airline.<ref>{{cite web |date=18 November 2008 |title=Defective equipment costs Air Greenland millions |url=http://sermitsiaq.gl/erhverv/article63762.ece?lang=EN |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120525102115/http://sermitsiaq.gl/erhverv/article63762.ece?lang=EN |archive-date=25 May 2012 |access-date=16 May 2010 |work=[[Sermitsiaq (newspaper)|Sermitsiaq]]}}</ref>) The decade also saw the company train and hire its first native [[Kalaallit people|Kalaallit]] pilots.<ref name="anni80" />

To service the enlarged network, Grønlandsfly began acquiring [[De Havilland Canada Dash 7|DHC-7]]s,<ref name="anni80" /> planes particularly suited to the often severe weather conditions in Greenland.<ref name="dvd">{{cite video |title=Air Greenland Airbus A330-200, Boeing 757-200, Dash 7 & Sikorsky 61 |medium=DVD |publisher=Just Planes Videos |year=2003 |isbn=1-931438-85-4 |people=Michael Binzer (Air Greenland)}}</ref> The first was delivered on 29 September 1979, followed by more over the next decade.<ref name="suluk2010_1">{{cite web |title=Suluk 2010 No.1 |url=http://airgreenland.com/files/pdf/suluk/100401_Suluk_2010_No_1.pdf |access-date=7 June 2010 |publisher=Air Greenland}}{{dead link|date=June 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> These planes served every airport except [[Nerlerit Inaat Airport|Nerlerit Inaat]] near [[Ittoqqortoormiit]], until 2010. Service to [[Nerlerit Inaat Airport|Nerlerit Inaat]] has been handled by [[Icelandair]] and [[Norlandair]] under contract with Greenland Home Rule.<ref name="icelandair">{{cite web |title=Annual Report 2006 |url=http://annual2006.icelandairgroup.com/group-review/travel-and-tourism/air-iceland/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713001422/http://annual2006.icelandairgroup.com/group-review/travel-and-tourism/air-iceland/ |archive-date=13 July 2011 |access-date=19 May 2010 |work=[[Icelandair Group]]}}</ref><ref name="book" />

In 1981, the airline's first international route was also opened, running between Greenland's capital Nuuk and [[Iqaluit Airport]] in northern Canada. The route connected Greenland's [[Kalaallit people|Kalaallit]] with Canada's [[Inuit people|Inuit]] and was operated in conjunction with the Canadian [[First Air]] line, but the planes were generally run empty and the route was shuttered 13 years later in 1994.<ref name="anni80" /><ref name="anni802">{{cite web |title=CGreenlandair 1980–89 |url=http://50.airgreenland.dk/80'erne/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528050957/http://50.airgreenland.dk/80'erne/ |archive-date=28 May 2010 |access-date=14 July 2010 |publisher=Air Greenland}}</ref> Also in 1981, Grønlandsfly opened its first route to [[Iceland]], linking [[Reykjavík Airport]] to its [[Kangerlussuaq Airport|main hub at Kangerlussuaq]] via [[Kulusuk Airport|Kulusuk]]. In 1986, a route to Keflavík allowed the company to break SAS's monopoly on flights between Greenland and Denmark via a Keflavík-Copenhagen leg operated by [[Icelandair]].<ref name="anni80" />

By 1989, the airline employed more than 400 Greenlanders and carried more than 100,000 passengers annually.<ref name="anni80" />

===1990s===
[[File:Greenlandair 757-236 OY-GRL.jpg|thumb|right|Air Greenland's first [[jet airliner]], a [[Boeing 757-200]], landing at [[Kangerlussuaq Airport]] in 2001.]]
[[File:Air Greenland B757-236 (OY-GRL) parked at Kangerlussuaq Airport.jpg|thumb|right|The same airliner in Air Greenland livery (2005). The aircraft was named ''Kunuunnguaq'' and registered OY-GRL.]]

The company saw its activity curtailed as the mines at Ivittuut (1987) and Maamorilik (1990) closed operation, leading to a recession in the Greenlandic economy.

As the situation improved, the network of regional STOL airports was extended with [[Sisimiut Airport]], [[Maniitsoq Airport]] and [[Aasiaat Airport]] built in mid-western Greenland and [[Qaarsut Airport]] and [[Upernavik Airport]] built in northwestern Greenland.<ref name="anni90">Air Greenland. "50 Års: [http://50.airgreenland.dk/90'erne/ Grønlandsfly 1990–99] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528051412/http://50.airgreenland.dk/90'erne/|date=28 May 2010}}". Retrieved 16 May 2010. {{in lang|da}}</ref> With the purchase of a fifth Dash 7, Grønlandsfly was {{ndash}} for the first time since its inception {{ndash}} able to provide plane services to [[list of cities of Greenland|all major towns]] in Greenland. ([[Uummannaq]] is served by Qaarsut Airport in conjunction with its heliport.)

Grønlandsfly also purchased its first jet aircraft, a [[Boeing 757|Boeing 757-200]] which began operation in May 1998. The airliner was named ''Kunuunnguaq'' in honour of the Greenlandic explorer and ethnologist [[Knud Rasmussen]], whose [[Bust (sculpture)|bust]] decorates in the terminal of Kangerlussuaq hub.<ref name="anni90" /> The airliner allowed the company to run the profitable Kangerlussuaq–[[Copenhagen]] route directly, without affiliates or a layover in Iceland. Thus, in 1999, the airline served 282,000 passengers, nearly triple the number at the end of the previous decade.<ref name="anni90" />

===2000s===
Around the turn of the millennium, the airline renewed its aging fleet, retiring several of its S-61 and 206 helicopters and replacing them with Bell 212s and [[Eurocopter AS350]]s.<ref name="anni90" /> The company also sacked its CEO Peter Fich, who had proven unable to balance Greenland Home Rule's demands for local Greenlander service with the board's for expanded tourism, lower fares and higher profits.<ref name="TP2000">"[http://www.travelpeople.dk/2000/2000090501.htm New Greenlandair President]". ''Travel People''. 1 May 2000. Retrieved 5 May 2012.</ref> Under his replacement Finn Øelund, Grønlandsfly initially posted a [[Danish krone|DKK]] 30 million loss as contractual obligations maintained unprofitable service while a strike ruined the summer tourist season and [[Post Greenland]] moved a lucrative mail contract to the Danish-owned [[Air Alpha Greenland]].<ref name="TP2001">"[http://www.travelpeople.dk/2001/2001090306.htm Greenlandair Climbing to New Levels]". ''Travel People''. 6 March 2001. Retrieved 5 May 2012.</ref> In response, the company successfully pushed back against Greenland Home Rule's large demands, high fees and low subsidies<ref name="TP2001" /> and rebranded itself, [[Anglicisation|anglicising]] its name to Air Greenland and adopting a new logo and livery on 18 April 2002.<ref name="anni00">Air Greenland. "50 Års: [http://50.airgreenland.dk/00'erne/ Air Greenland 2000–09] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528050937/http://50.airgreenland.dk/00'erne/|date=28 May 2010}}". Retrieved 16 May 2010. {{in lang|da}}</ref>[[File:AirGreenland Airbus (11833458766).jpg|thumb|Air Greenland [[Airbus A330-200]] on approach to [[Kangerlussuaq Airport]] in 2004.]]In 2003, Finn Øelund left to head [[Maersk Air]] and was replaced as CEO by Flemming Knudson.<ref name="TP2011" /> Air Greenland opened a route from Copenhagen to [[Akureyri Airport|Akureyri]] in Iceland; the service lasted for six years before finally being deemed unprofitable and ended. Also in 2003, SAS abandoned its Greenland service, leading Air Greenland to purchase its second airliner, an [[Airbus A330]]-200 named ''Norsaq''.<ref name="anni00" /> (SAS briefly revived the service during the peak season in 2007<ref>{{cite news |date=31 January 2007 |title=SAS Danmark åbner rute til Grønland |url=http://www.sas.dk/da/Om-SAS-Danmark2/Presserum/Nyhedsarkiv/SAS-Danmark-abner-rute-til-Gronland/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080205021910/http://www.sas.dk/da/Om-SAS-Danmark2/Presserum/Nyhedsarkiv/SAS-Danmark-abner-rute-til-Gronland/ |archive-date=5 February 2008 |access-date=26 March 2011 |language=da}}</ref> before dropping it again in January 2009.<ref>{{cite news |date=10 March 2009 |title=SAS lukker grønlandsrute |url=http://sermitsiaq.ag/indland/article78222.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716050435/http://sermitsiaq.ag/indland/article78222.ece |archive-date=16 July 2012 |access-date=26 March 2011 |language=da}}</ref>) Owing to SAS's withdrawal from the market, Air Greenland received its contract with the U.S. Air Force for passenger service to and from [[Thule Air Base]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Annual Report 2004 |url=http://www.airgreenland.com/files/pdf/aarsberetning/en/050401_Air_Greenland_Annual_Report_2004.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524143252/http://airgreenland.com/files/pdf/aarsberetning/en/050401_Air_Greenland_Annual_Report_2004.pdf |archive-date=24 May 2010 |access-date=16 May 2010 |publisher=Air Greenland}}</ref> Running from February 2004, the contract was renewed for another five-year period in 2008<ref>{{cite news |date=22 August 2008 |title=Air Greenland skal fortsat servicere Thule Air Base |url=http://sermitsiaq.gl/erhverv/article52051.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080830120600/http://sermitsiaq.gl/erhverv/article52051.ece |archive-date=30 August 2008 |access-date=16 May 2010 |work=[[Sermitsiaq (newspaper)|Sermitsiaq]] |language=da}}</ref> despite SAS's brief return to the market.

The first takeover of another airline took place on 28 July 2006, when Air Greenland acquired [[Air Alpha Greenland]], a subsidiary of Danish carrier [[Air Alpha]]. Air Alpha Greenland had operated helicopter flights in Disko Bay and in eastern Greenland. Since the takeover, the acquired [[Bell 222]] helicopters have been used for passenger transfers between Nerlerit Inaat Airport and [[Ittoqqortoormiit Heliport]].<ref>{{cite news |date=28 July 2006 |title=Air Greenlandip Air Alpha Greenland pisiarilerpaa |url=http://knr.gl/index.php?id=164&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=13550&cHash=7cc56aed0b |access-date=17 May 2010 |work=[[Kalaallit Nunaata Radioa]] |language=kl}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=28 July 2006 |title=Air Alphas epoke i Grønland slut |url=http://knr.gl/index.php?id=183&tx_ttnews%5Bswords%5D=Air%20Alpha&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=14391&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=143&cHash=fb5fa315b6 |access-date=18 May 2010 |work=[[Kalaallit Nunaata Radioa]] |language=da}}</ref>[[File:AirGreenland Dash7 (11832984313).jpg|thumb|right|The [[De Havilland Canada Dash 7]] aircraft were the domestic backbone of the airline until the 2010s.]]

In 2007, Flemming Knudson was moved to head the [[Royal Greenland]] fishing concern and current CEO Michael Binzer was hired with a mandate to lead the company towards greater commercialisation and self-sufficiency under the ''Qarsoq 2012'' ("Arrow 2012") plan.<ref name="TP2011" /> On 13 June, SAS announced its intention to sell its stake in Air Greenland,<ref>{{cite news |date=13 June 2007 |title=New direction will ensure SASs future |url=http://se.yhp.waymaker.net/sasgroup/release.asp?id=149514 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723090520/http://se.yhp.waymaker.net/sasgroup/release.asp?id=149514 |archive-date=23 July 2011 |access-date=17 May 2010 |work=[[SAS Group]]}}</ref> a move later incorporated into its restructuring programme,<ref>{{cite news |date=3 February 2009 |title=SAS i krise: SAS-sjefen har stor tro på fremtiden |url=http://e24.no/boers-og-finans/article2904167.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100101022549/http://e24.no/boers-og-finans/article2904167.ece |archive-date=1 January 2010 |access-date=17 May 2010 |work=[[E24 Næringsliv]] |language=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=3 February 2009 |title=SAS sælger Air Greenland aktier |url=http://sermitsiaq.gl/erhverv/article73553.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207200017/http://sermitsiaq.gl/erhverv/article73553.ece |archive-date=7 February 2009 |access-date=17 May 2010 |work=[[Sermitsiaq (newspaper)|Sermitsiaq]] |language=da}}</ref> but as of 2012 it has not found any buyers. On 1 October, the airline introduced its [[Electronic ticket|e-ticket]] system.<ref name="report2008">{{cite web |title=Annual Report 2008 |url=http://airgreenland.com/files/pdf/aarsberetning/en/090330_Air_Greenland_Annual_Report_2008.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524143317/http://airgreenland.com/files/pdf/aarsberetning/en/090330_Air_Greenland_Annual_Report_2008.pdf |archive-date=24 May 2010 |access-date=19 May 2010 |publisher=Air Greenland}}</ref> Also in 2007, Air Greenland began direct service with [[Baltimore/Washington International Airport]] in the United States. After sixty American visitors were stranded by a strike of Air Greenland employees and the company refused to make alternate arrangements for their return,<ref>Rubin, Michael. "[https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/stranded-greenland-michael-rubin/ Stranded in Greenland]". ''National Review''. 29 August 2007. Retrieved 14 July 2018.</ref> ticket sales slumped and the route was closed in March 2008.<ref name="report2008" />

In 2009, the airline carried 399,000 passengers.<ref name="report2009" />

===2010s===
In the 2010s, Air Greenland curtailed some services. On 1 January 2010, Air Greenland suspended its participation in SAS's [[EuroBonus]] [[frequent-flyer program]] due to technical difficulties.<ref>{{cite news |date=21 October 2009 |title=Air Greenland dropper Eurobonus |url=http://sermitsiaq.gl/indland/article100291.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110815125544/http://sermitsiaq.ag/node/71111 |archive-date=15 August 2011 |access-date=17 May 2010 |work=[[Sermitsiaq (newspaper)|Sermitsiaq]] |language=da}}</ref> In 2011, nonstop service from Narsarsuaq to Copenhagen was suspended.<ref name="binz">{{cite news |date=18 November 2009 |title=Stor interesse for debat med Binzer |url=http://sermitsiaq.gl/erhverv/article103270.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091122123233/http://sermitsiaq.gl/erhverv/article103270.ece |archive-date=22 November 2009 |access-date=17 May 2010 |work=[[Sermitsiaq (newspaper)|Sermitsiaq]] |language=da}}</ref><ref name="Air Greenland" />

However, some expansion is planned. In order to compete with [[Icelandair]], which operates service from [[Reykjavik Airport]] to Nuuk, Narsarsuaq, [[Ilulissat]] and the east coast of Greenland<ref name="icelandair" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Air Iceland's Destinations |url=http://www.airiceland.is/AirIceland/Destinations/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100624045451/http://www.airiceland.is/AirIceland/Destinations/ |archive-date=24 June 2010 |access-date=19 May 2010 |publisher=[[Air Iceland]]}}</ref> and now controls about 15% the market in Greenland-bound travel,<ref name="TP2011" /> Air Greenland opened a nonstop route between Nuuk and [[Keflavík International Airport]] in [[Iceland]] in 2010.<ref name="restrict" /> Also, owing to improved technology and [[2000s commodities boom|higher commodity prices]], the [[Maarmorilik]] mines were due to reopen in November 2010<ref name="knr">{{cite news |date=27 April 2010 |title=Maarmorilik udvides |url=http://www.knr.gl/index.php?id=183&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=55598&cHash=fde878b4e3 |access-date=17 May 2010 |work=[[Kalaallit Nunaata Radioa]] |language=da}}</ref> with [[zinc]] and [[iron ore]] reserves projected to last 50 years.<ref>{{cite web |date=27 April 2010 |title=Maarmorilik har zink og jern til 50 år |url=http://www.knr.gl/index.php?id=4532&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=55642&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=6779&cHash=5e98642c37 |access-date=17 May 2010 |work=[[Kalaallit Nunaata Radioa]] |language=da}}</ref> As in the 1970s, the mine's supply flights to the mine would have been operated by Air Greenland, using [[Bell helicopters]] ([[Bell 212|212s]]) based out of the [[Uummannaq Heliport]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Black Angel News, the newsletter about the Black Angel Project in Greenland |url=http://www.angelmining.com/assets/files/BAM-News-3.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319124432/http://www.angelmining.com/assets/files/BAM-News-3.pdf |archive-date=19 March 2016 |access-date=19 May 2010 |publisher=Angelmining plc}}</ref>

Air Greenland sold its Boeing 757-200 in 2010, leaving it with a single Airbus A330 for its transatlantic fleet which reduced service to [[Narsarsuaq Airport]].<ref name="restrict" /><ref name=":4" /> Air Greenland's last remaining [[Twin Otter]] was sold in 2011 to [[Norlandair]] in exchange for cash and a one-fourth interest in the Icelandic company.{{citation needed|date=May 2012}}[[File:AirGreenland Airbus (11832722805).jpg|thumb|The [[Airbus A330|Airbus A330-200]] pictured (named ''Norsaq'') was in use from 2003 to 2022. It was used on the airline's long-haul routes. It has now been retired.|alt=Norsaq, the A330-200 formerly used by Air Greenland]]Reopening the connection to Iqaluit, now the capital of [[Nunavut]], was launched by Air Greenland in 2012.<ref>{{cite news |date=18 September 2009 |title=Iqaluit rute udsat |url=http://sermitsiaq.gl/erhverv/article97117.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090928215207/http://sermitsiaq.gl/erhverv/article97117.ece |archive-date=28 September 2009 |access-date=17 May 2010 |work=[[Sermitsiaq (newspaper)|Sermitsiaq]] |language=da}}</ref> From 2012 to 2013, the airline saw a shy increase of 4 passengers flying to Nunavut over the previous year.<ref>{{cite web |author=Murphy |first=David |date=6 August 2013 |title=Air Greenland toughs it out on Nunavut-Greenland route |url=https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/65674air_greenland_toughs_out_nunavut-greenland_route/ |access-date=30 June 2017 |website=Nunatsiaqonline.ca}}</ref> However, this service ceased in 2015 due to lack of commercial viability.<ref>{{cite news |date=6 March 2015 |title=Air Greenland cuts Nuuk-Iqaluit scheduled flights in 2015 |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/air-greenland-cuts-nuuk-iqaluit-scheduled-flights-in-2015-1.2985006 |access-date=7 November 2015 |work=CBC News}}</ref>

In July 2015, Air Greenland became a member of the [[European Regions Airline Association]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Erlingur Nordal |date=22 July 2015 |title=Air Greenland becomes European Regions Airline Association member |url=http://www.icenews.is/2015/07/22/air-greenland-becomes-european-regions-airline-association-member/ |access-date=30 June 2017 |website=Icenews.is}}</ref> In 2015, Air Greenland phased out operation of its last [[De Havilland Canada Dash 7|Dash 7]] aircraft, completing the transition of its domestic fixed-wing fleet to [[De Havilland Canada Dash 8|Dash 8-200]] aircraft.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our history {{!}} Air Greenland |url=https://www.airgreenland.com/about-us/the-history-of-air-greenland/ |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=www.airgreenland.com}}</ref>

Prior to 2016, Air Greenland held a 50% stake in the [[Arctic Umiaq Line]], an unprofitable but government-subsidised ferry service, with the other 50% controlled by [[Royal Arctic Line]]. In 2016 Air Greenland sold its stake in the company to Royal Arctic Line, and since July 1, 2016 the Arctic Umiaq Line has operated as a wholly owned subsidiary of Royal Arctic Line.<ref>{{cite web |title=Annual Report 2016 |url=https://www.royalarcticline.com/media/559305/annual_report_2016_web1.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906075933/https://www.royalarcticline.com/media/559305/annual_report_2016_web1.pdf |archive-date=6 September 2023 |access-date=27 November 2021 |publisher=Royal Arctic Line A/S}}</ref>

Air Greenland also performed charter flights within Europe on behalf of European travel agencies using its [[Airbus A330]].<ref>Air Greenland A330 operating Copenhagen to Tenerife for Thomas Cook Airlines Scandinavia {{cite web |title=View photo |url=http://jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=257427 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216042536/http://jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=257427 |archive-date=16 December 2013 |access-date=11 April 2013}}</ref> The A330 was used from Pituffik and Kangerlussuaq to Copenhagen Kastrup, but in January 2017, Air Greenland had announced more commercial routes to be covered by the aircraft between Iceland and Greenland.<ref>{{cite web |date=19 January 2017 |title=Air Greenland to deploy widebody metal on Iceland flights |url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/52583-air-greenland-to-deploy-widebody-metal-on-iceland-flights |access-date=30 June 2017 |website=Ch-aviation.com}}</ref> In March 2017, Air Greenland also announced adding more flights to Kangerlussuaq.<ref>{{cite web |date=9 March 2017 |title=Air Greenland to Add More flights to Kangerlussuaq |url=http://aviationtribune.com/airlines/europe/air-greenland-add-flights-kangerlussuaq/ |access-date=30 June 2017 |website=Aviationtribune.com}}</ref>

=== 2020s ===
Similar to most airlines, Air Greenland experienced a decline in weekly flights during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the decline was less than most airlines due to Greenland's remoteness and vast distance between the communities.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leigh |first=Gabriel |date=2021-02-04 |title=A look at Air Greenland's operations through the pandemic |url=https://www.flightradar24.com/blog/a-look-at-air-greenlands-operations-through-the-pandemic/ |access-date=2024-06-28 |website=Flightradar24 Blog |language=en-US}}</ref>

In December 2022, Air Greenland took delivery of its new [[Airbus A330-800]], named Tuukkaq. Subsequently, their older A330-200 was scrapped.

In June 2024, Air Greenland relaunched the seasonal direct flight between [[Iqaluit Airport|Iqaluit]] and Nuuk, serving the two cities once a week until October 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sarkisian |first=Arty |date=2024-06-27 |title=Hot dogs and high fives: Iqaluit celebrates launch of direct flights to Greenland |url=https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/hot-dogs-and-high-fives-iqaluit-celebrates-launch-of-direct-flights-to-greenland/ |access-date=2024-06-28 |website=Nunatsiaq News |language=en}}</ref> The route is interlined with [[Canadian North]] and timed to connect passengers arriving on Canadian North flights from [[Kuujjuaq]], Montreal and Ottawa.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-23 |title=Summer route between Greenland and Nunavut announced |url=https://www.nunavutnews.com/home/summer-route-between-greenland-and-nunavut-announced-7361299 |access-date=2024-06-28 |website=Nunavut News |language=en}}</ref>

Air Greenland opened up new routes from Kangerlussuaq to Billund and Aalborg in 2023, with leased [[Boeing 737]] aircraft from [[Jettime]], a Danish charter airline. A [[Narsarsuaq Airport|Narsarsuaq]] to [[Billund Airport|Billund]] route was also introduced.<ref name=":1" />

In 2015, [[Naalakkersuisut|Greenlandic government]] in cooperation with [[Politics of Denmark|Danish government]] funding decided to expand both [[Nuuk Airport|Nuuk]] and [[Ilulissat Airport|Ilulissat]] airports, lengthening their runways to 2,200 m and building new terminal and service buildings. The new airports signify a significant upcoming change in the Greenlandic aviation sector, both in terms of competition and route structure.<ref name=":2" />

The expanded [[Nuuk Airport]] is due to be complete in November 2024. Subsequently, Air Greenland has announced the transition of their transatlantic hub to Nuuk in November 2024. Air Greenland's flagship [[Airbus A330neo|A330-800]] will operate between Nuuk and [[Copenhagen Airport|Copenhagen]]. Seasonal routes with leased aircraft from [[Jettime]] to [[Aalborg Airport|Aalborg]] and [[Billund Airport|Billund]] will also be relocated to Nuuk Airport. The route to from Nuuk to Billund Airport will also stopover at [[Keflavík International Airport]], expanding Air Greenland's capacity to Iceland.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />

[[Kangerlussuaq Airport]] will remain a domestic airport and will be served by seasonal flights to [[Copenhagen Airport|Copenhagen]] as a stopover using leased aircraft. Routes from [[Kangerlussuaq Airport|Kangerlussuaq]] to [[Aasiaat Airport|Aasiaat]] and [[Maniitsoq Airport|Maniitsoq]] will be discontinued from November 2024 after the transition.<ref name=":3" />

Air Greenland and [[Icelandair]] announced a [[Codeshare agreement|codeshare]] agreement, starting in summer 2025, the first comprehensive codeshare agreement Air Greenland has entered into.{{Cn|date=November 2024}}


==Accidents and incidents==
==Accidents and incidents==
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==See also==
==See also==
{{Portal|Aviation|Companies|Kingdom of Denmark|North America}}
{{Portal|Aviation|Companies|Kingdom of Denmark|North America}}
*[[SAS Group]]
**[[Scandinavian Airlines]]
*[[Transport in Greenland]]
*[[Transport in Greenland]]
*[[List of airports in Greenland]]
*[[List of airports in Greenland]]

Latest revision as of 22:27, 14 November 2024

Air Greenland
IATA ICAO Call sign
GL GRL GREENLAND
Founded7 November 1960; 64 years ago (1960-11-07)
as Grønlandsfly
Hubs
Focus cities
Frequent-flyer programClub Timmisa
Subsidiaries
Fleet sizeFixed-wing – 9
Helicopter – 18
Destinations16
HeadquartersNuuk Airport, Nuussuaq, Greenland
Key people
RevenueIncrease US$194.02 million
Operating incomeIncrease US$12.02 million
Net incomeIncrease US$8.16 million
Total assetsIncrease US$145.87 million
Total equityIncrease US$103.88 million
Websiteairgreenland.com

Air Greenland A/S (formerly named Grønlandsfly), also known as Greenlandair, is the flag carrier of Greenland, owned by the Greenlandic Government. It operates a fleet of 28 aircraft, including a single A330-800 airliner used for transatlantic and charter flights, 9 fixed-wing aircraft primarily serving the domestic network, and 18 helicopters feeding passengers from the smaller communities into the domestic airport network. Flights to heliports in the remote settlements are operated on contract with the government of Greenland.

Besides running scheduled services and government-contracted flights to most villages in the country, the airline also supports remote research stations, provides charter services for tourists and Greenland's energy and mineral-resource industries and permits medivac during emergencies. Air Greenland has seven subsidiaries, an airline, hotels, tour operators, and a travel agency specialised in Greenlandic tourism.

Destinations

[edit]

Air Greenland's domestic airport network includes 12 civilian airports within Greenland. Outside Greenland, the airline currently operates year-round transatlantic flights to Keflavík International Airport in Iceland and Copenhagen Airport in Denmark. It also offers seasonal service to Billund and Aalborg in Denmark, as well as Iqaluit in Canada.[1]

Two international airports capable of serving large airliners – Kangerlussuaq Airport and Narsarsuaq Airport – were constructed as U.S. Air Force military bases during WW2 and continue to be used for transatlantic flights.[2] All other regional airports are only STOL-capable and are served with smaller De Havilland Canada Dash 8-200 fixed-wing aircraft.

After the completion of the major renovation and runway expansion ongoing at Nuuk Airport, Air Greenland's transatlantic hub will transition from Kangerlussuaq to Nuuk Airport in November 2024, with their Airbus A330-800.[3]

Smaller communities are served via a network of 45 heliports: 8 of which are primary heliports which have tarmac landing areas, passenger terminals and permanent staff. The other heliports are helistops with either a gravel or grass landing area. Often helicopters need multiple flights for each connection to a fixed-wing flight because of passenger capacity, causing longer total travel time. The primary heliports usually connect to the wider domestic fixed-wing services. Primary heliports inclue Upernavik Airport/Heliport, serving northwest Greenland; Uummannaq served by Qaarsut Airport; Narsaq, Qaqortoq, Nanortalik which are connected by the larger Narsarsuaq Airport; and Tasiilaq which is served by Kulusuk Airport.[2][1]

The only civilian airport which Air Greenland does not serve with fixed-wing aircraft is Nerlerit Inaat Airport: Norlandair provides fixed-wing services to Iceland while Air Greenland provides local helicopter transport to larger towns including Ittoqqortoormiit.[1]

De Havilland Canada Dash 8-200 aircraft serve the many domestic STOL airports in Greenland.

Codeshare and interline agreements

[edit]

The agreement makes it again possible to combine a trip, in one ticket.

Air Greenland has interline agreements with the following airlines:

A more comprehensive codeshare agreement with Icelandair will be introduced from summer 2025.[7]

Settlement flights

[edit]

Air Greenland operates helicopter flights to most settlements in Greenland ("settlement flights"[8]) on contract with the government of Greenland,[9] with the destination network subsidized and coordinated by the Ministry of Housing, Infrastructure and Transport.[10] Settlement flights are not featured in the company's timetable, although they can be pre-booked.[2]

Departure times for these flights as specified during booking are by definition approximate, with the settlement service optimised on the fly depending on local demand for a given day. Settlement flights in the Disko Bay region are unique in that they are operated only during winter and spring. During summer and autumn, transport between settlements is only by sea, with services operated by Diskoline, a government-contracted ferry service based in Ilulissat.[11]

Fleet

[edit]
Air Greenland's flagship A330-800 nicknamed Tuukkaq, delivered in 2022.

As of October 2024, the Air Greenland fleet includes the following active aircraft:[12]

Fixed-wing fleet

[edit]
Air Greenland's Beechcraft Super King Air (named Amaalik) is used for ambulance flights for the Greenlandic Government.

The airline's flagship aircraft is their sole Airbus A330-800, delivered new in 2022. The De Havilland Canada DHC-8-200 is the airline's primary aircraft, operating on all domestic airport-to-airport routes. In 2010, the airline acquired its first Dash 8 aircraft.[13] Air Greenland also leases capacity from charter airline Jettime for seasonal routes.[14]

The Air Greenland fixed-wing fleet consists of the following aircraft as of October 2024:[12]

Air Greenland fixed-wing fleet
Aircraft In service Orders Passengers Notes
C Y Total
Airbus A330-800 1 42 263 305
Beechcraft B200 King Air 1 8
De Havilland Canada Dash 8-200 8 37 37
Total 10 5

Helicopter fleet

[edit]
An Air Greenland Eurocopter AS350 on operation, departing at Uunartoq (2007)
Airbus H225 near Kangerlussuaq in 2021

The Airbus H155 is the primary helicopter used for flights to district villages.

The Air Greenland helicopter fleet consists of the following aircraft (as of October 2024):

Air Greenland helicopter fleet
Aircraft In service Passengers Purpose
Airbus H225[15] 2 19[note 1] SAR
Airbus H155[17] 7 12 Domestic routes
Airbus AS350[15] 9 5 Domestic routes/charter
Total 18
  1. ^ Though capable of carrying up to 19 passengers for regular service, the H225 is ordinarily configured for search and rescue operations, capable of carrying up to 6 stretchers[16]

Historical fleet

[edit]

The older Sikorsky S-61N helicopters were stationed in Ilulissat Airport and Qaqortoq Heliport. With a capacity to seat 25 passengers,[18] the S-61 based in southern Greenland was used to shuttle passengers arriving from Copenhagen at Narsarsuaq Airport. The sale of the Boeing 757 in April 2010 contributed to the long-term decline of the airport,[19][20] with the airline planning to remove the old helicopter from the fleet.[21] The airline's Airbus A330-200 was scrapped in 2023, after delivery of its new A330-800.[22]

In the past, Air Greenland (Grønlandsfly) also used the following aircraft:[23]

Management and structure

[edit]
Air Greenland headquarters in Nuuk
Air Greenland headquarters in Nuuk
Air Greenland hangars at Nuuk Airport in 2010
Air Greenland hangars at Nuuk Airport (2010)

On 29 May 2019 the Greenlandic Government acquired 37.5% of the shares in Air Greenland from the SAS Group and 25% of the company shares from the Danish Government, becoming the sole owner of the airline. The total price of the 62.5% share was DKK 462 mill.[24] The government ownership is held by the Ministry of Housing, Infrastructure, and Transport, that oversees the development of the transport industry in Greenland[10] and controls Mittarfeqarfiit, the airport authority in Greenland.

The Air Greenland board of directors has a total of nine members, including three members representing airline employees. The current chairman is Mr Kjeld Zacho Jørgensen (appointed 2018) and the deputy-chairman is Ms Bodil Marie Damgaard (appointed 2016). The CEO of Air Greenland is Jakob Nitter Sørensen appointed in January 2017.[25]

Headquartered in Nuuk,[26] the airline had 668 employees in December 2009.[21] The airline's technical base is located at Nuuk Airport.[27]

An Air Greenland Bell 212 on approach to Thule Air Base (2010)

Charter

[edit]

The charter unit within Air Greenland is led by Hans Peter Hansen and employs 8 people, with 13 helicopters and 3 fixed-wing aircraft at its disposal.[28] Excess capacity of airplanes is used for regular charters to tourist destinations in Europe, Asia, and Africa.

The helicopters, primarily the AS350, are used for special flights, such as search and rescue, air ambulance,[29] charter flights to the Thule Air Base on contract with the U.S. Air Force, geological exploration, and supply flights to the mining sites and the research stations on the Greenland ice sheet.[21][28] During the peak summer season, the helicopter crew is supplemented by freelance pilots from Norway and Sweden.[28]

Other charter flights include heliskiing shuttles, services for the energy industry such as facilitating oil exploration or surveying for hydroelectric stations and environmental research counting polar bears and tracking other large Arctic fauna.[28]

Subsidiary companies

[edit]

[30]

Tourism

[edit]
  • Hotel Arctic A/S, a hotel and travel agency based in Ilulissat, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Air Greenland.
  • Greenland Travel A/S, a package-tour travel agency based in Copenhagen, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Air Greenland.[21][31]
    • World of Greenland A/S, an outfitter company based in Ilulissat, is a partnership between Greenland Travel A/S and Ilulissat Travel A/S.

Aviation

[edit]
  • Norlandair ehf. is an Icelandic airline. Air Greenland owns 25% of the Icelandic airline company.

Service

[edit]
Business Class seats on the airline's former A330-200

Premium class

[edit]

A business class – named "Premium-Class" – is offered by Air Greenland on transatlantic flights aboard Tuukkaq, its Airbus A330-800.[32] The service includes a larger seats, hot meal, a personal video screen, an in-seat power source, an amenity kit and blankets.[32][33] Passengers travelling in premium class are eligible to use the Novia Business Class Lounge at Copenhagen Airport.[32] There are 42 Premium class seats on their Airbus A330-800, arranged in a 2-3-2 configuration.[34]

Economy class

[edit]

Air Greenland offers flexible and restricted economy class on all flights operated with fixed-wing aircraft, with complimentary snacks and drinks.[8] On transatlantic flights to Copenhagen, both economy class and premium class seats are available, with in-flight meals served in all classes. Air Greenland publishes a quarterly Suluk (Kalaallisut: "Wing") in-flight magazine,[35] with general information about current political and cultural events in Greenland and with news from the airline. On board their Airbus A330-800, economy class is configured in a 2-4-2 configuration.

History

[edit]

Founded in 1960 as Grønlandsfly (translates to Greenland aviation), the airline started its first services with Catalina seaplanes and within the decade expanded to include DHC-3 Otters as well as Sikorsky S-61 helicopters. The majority of operations were based on helicopters until the newly established Greenland Home Rule began investing in a network of short takeoff and landing airfields. These were very expensive to construct and Greenland's airport fees are still among the highest in the world;[36] they also required a new fleet: DHC-7 turboprops uniquely suited to the harsh terrain and weather conditions in Greenland. The reliability of connections improved as the domestic airport network expanded in the 1990s: increasing use of the Dash 7s made the airline less restricted by inclement weather. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Air Greenland acquired a Boeing 757 and an Airbus A330, allowing it to open connections to Copenhagen, until then operated by SAS which also competed mid to late 2000s. In the 21st century, it competes with Icelandair for international connections and small charter services domestically.

1960s

[edit]
The Sikorsky S-61N helicopter, acquired in 1965, was one of the earliest aircraft in Air Greenland's fleet.

The airline was established on 7 November 1960 as Grønlandsfly A/S,[37] by the Scandinavian Airlines System (now SAS) and Kryolitselskabet Øresund, a Danish mining company involved with the cryolite operations at Ivittuut to provide transport and logistics for four American radar bases in Greenland. In 1962, interests in the firm were acquired by the Provincial Council (now the Greenland Home Rule Government) and the Royal Greenland Trade Department (now KNI).[38]

The first flights serving the American bases in Greenland operated lightweight DHC-3 Otters and Sikorsky S-55 helicopters chartered from Canada.[38] After a crash in 1961, Grønlandsfly used PBY Catalina water planes and DHC-6 Twin Otters on domestic routes. One of the Catalinas then crashed in 1962. In 1965, the Douglas DC-4 became the line's first larger airplane. It was followed by Sikorsky S-61 helicopters, which have remained in use: in 2010, they still served the communities of Kujalleq municipality in southern Greenland year-round and those of Disko Bay during the winter.[39][2]

1970s

[edit]
Air Greenland's DHC-6 Twin Otters were used for ambulance and charter flights, such as to the research base at Summit Camp.

During the 1970s, Grønlandsfly upgraded its DC-4 to the newer DC-6,[40] but principally focused on expanding its helicopter fleet, purchasing five more S-61s. By 1972, it opened up service to east Greenland with a helicopter based in Tasiilaq, and established Greenlandair Charter. Mining at Maamorilik in the Uummannaq Fjord required still more helicopters, and the airline purchased Bell 206s for the route. Grønlandsfly also picked up a Danish government contract to fly reconnaissance missions regarding the sea ice around Greenland.[40]

By the end of 1979, the number of Grønlandsfly passengers served annually exceeded 60,000,[40] more than the population of Greenland.

1980s

[edit]
Air Greenland used the -102 (pictured) and -103 variants of the Dash 7. The latter of this aircraft is equipped with a front cargo section.

The establishment of the Greenland Home Rule Government in 1979 led to investment in a regional network of true airports, with short take-off and landing (STOL) airfields constructed in Nuuk, Ilulissat (1984), and Kulusuk.[41] (These early airports were built without de-icing equipment, a situation which has proven problematic during Greenland's winters and continues to cause delays and losses for the airline.[42]) The decade also saw the company train and hire its first native Kalaallit pilots.[41]

To service the enlarged network, Grønlandsfly began acquiring DHC-7s,[41] planes particularly suited to the often severe weather conditions in Greenland.[43] The first was delivered on 29 September 1979, followed by more over the next decade.[44] These planes served every airport except Nerlerit Inaat near Ittoqqortoormiit, until 2010. Service to Nerlerit Inaat has been handled by Icelandair and Norlandair under contract with Greenland Home Rule.[45][2]

In 1981, the airline's first international route was also opened, running between Greenland's capital Nuuk and Iqaluit Airport in northern Canada. The route connected Greenland's Kalaallit with Canada's Inuit and was operated in conjunction with the Canadian First Air line, but the planes were generally run empty and the route was shuttered 13 years later in 1994.[41][46] Also in 1981, Grønlandsfly opened its first route to Iceland, linking Reykjavík Airport to its main hub at Kangerlussuaq via Kulusuk. In 1986, a route to Keflavík allowed the company to break SAS's monopoly on flights between Greenland and Denmark via a Keflavík-Copenhagen leg operated by Icelandair.[41]

By 1989, the airline employed more than 400 Greenlanders and carried more than 100,000 passengers annually.[41]

1990s

[edit]
Air Greenland's first jet airliner, a Boeing 757-200, landing at Kangerlussuaq Airport in 2001.
The same airliner in Air Greenland livery (2005). The aircraft was named Kunuunnguaq and registered OY-GRL.

The company saw its activity curtailed as the mines at Ivittuut (1987) and Maamorilik (1990) closed operation, leading to a recession in the Greenlandic economy.

As the situation improved, the network of regional STOL airports was extended with Sisimiut Airport, Maniitsoq Airport and Aasiaat Airport built in mid-western Greenland and Qaarsut Airport and Upernavik Airport built in northwestern Greenland.[47] With the purchase of a fifth Dash 7, Grønlandsfly was – for the first time since its inception – able to provide plane services to all major towns in Greenland. (Uummannaq is served by Qaarsut Airport in conjunction with its heliport.)

Grønlandsfly also purchased its first jet aircraft, a Boeing 757-200 which began operation in May 1998. The airliner was named Kunuunnguaq in honour of the Greenlandic explorer and ethnologist Knud Rasmussen, whose bust decorates in the terminal of Kangerlussuaq hub.[47] The airliner allowed the company to run the profitable Kangerlussuaq–Copenhagen route directly, without affiliates or a layover in Iceland. Thus, in 1999, the airline served 282,000 passengers, nearly triple the number at the end of the previous decade.[47]

2000s

[edit]

Around the turn of the millennium, the airline renewed its aging fleet, retiring several of its S-61 and 206 helicopters and replacing them with Bell 212s and Eurocopter AS350s.[47] The company also sacked its CEO Peter Fich, who had proven unable to balance Greenland Home Rule's demands for local Greenlander service with the board's for expanded tourism, lower fares and higher profits.[48] Under his replacement Finn Øelund, Grønlandsfly initially posted a DKK 30 million loss as contractual obligations maintained unprofitable service while a strike ruined the summer tourist season and Post Greenland moved a lucrative mail contract to the Danish-owned Air Alpha Greenland.[49] In response, the company successfully pushed back against Greenland Home Rule's large demands, high fees and low subsidies[49] and rebranded itself, anglicising its name to Air Greenland and adopting a new logo and livery on 18 April 2002.[50]

Air Greenland Airbus A330-200 on approach to Kangerlussuaq Airport in 2004.

In 2003, Finn Øelund left to head Maersk Air and was replaced as CEO by Flemming Knudson.[36] Air Greenland opened a route from Copenhagen to Akureyri in Iceland; the service lasted for six years before finally being deemed unprofitable and ended. Also in 2003, SAS abandoned its Greenland service, leading Air Greenland to purchase its second airliner, an Airbus A330-200 named Norsaq.[50] (SAS briefly revived the service during the peak season in 2007[51] before dropping it again in January 2009.[52]) Owing to SAS's withdrawal from the market, Air Greenland received its contract with the U.S. Air Force for passenger service to and from Thule Air Base.[53] Running from February 2004, the contract was renewed for another five-year period in 2008[54] despite SAS's brief return to the market. The first takeover of another airline took place on 28 July 2006, when Air Greenland acquired Air Alpha Greenland, a subsidiary of Danish carrier Air Alpha. Air Alpha Greenland had operated helicopter flights in Disko Bay and in eastern Greenland. Since the takeover, the acquired Bell 222 helicopters have been used for passenger transfers between Nerlerit Inaat Airport and Ittoqqortoormiit Heliport.[55][56]

The De Havilland Canada Dash 7 aircraft were the domestic backbone of the airline until the 2010s.

In 2007, Flemming Knudson was moved to head the Royal Greenland fishing concern and current CEO Michael Binzer was hired with a mandate to lead the company towards greater commercialisation and self-sufficiency under the Qarsoq 2012 ("Arrow 2012") plan.[36] On 13 June, SAS announced its intention to sell its stake in Air Greenland,[57] a move later incorporated into its restructuring programme,[58][59] but as of 2012 it has not found any buyers. On 1 October, the airline introduced its e-ticket system.[60] Also in 2007, Air Greenland began direct service with Baltimore/Washington International Airport in the United States. After sixty American visitors were stranded by a strike of Air Greenland employees and the company refused to make alternate arrangements for their return,[61] ticket sales slumped and the route was closed in March 2008.[60]

In 2009, the airline carried 399,000 passengers.[21]

2010s

[edit]

In the 2010s, Air Greenland curtailed some services. On 1 January 2010, Air Greenland suspended its participation in SAS's EuroBonus frequent-flyer program due to technical difficulties.[62] In 2011, nonstop service from Narsarsuaq to Copenhagen was suspended.[63][18]

However, some expansion is planned. In order to compete with Icelandair, which operates service from Reykjavik Airport to Nuuk, Narsarsuaq, Ilulissat and the east coast of Greenland[45][64] and now controls about 15% the market in Greenland-bound travel,[36] Air Greenland opened a nonstop route between Nuuk and Keflavík International Airport in Iceland in 2010.[19] Also, owing to improved technology and higher commodity prices, the Maarmorilik mines were due to reopen in November 2010[65] with zinc and iron ore reserves projected to last 50 years.[66] As in the 1970s, the mine's supply flights to the mine would have been operated by Air Greenland, using Bell helicopters (212s) based out of the Uummannaq Heliport.[67]

Air Greenland sold its Boeing 757-200 in 2010, leaving it with a single Airbus A330 for its transatlantic fleet which reduced service to Narsarsuaq Airport.[19][20] Air Greenland's last remaining Twin Otter was sold in 2011 to Norlandair in exchange for cash and a one-fourth interest in the Icelandic company.[citation needed]

Norsaq, the A330-200 formerly used by Air Greenland
The Airbus A330-200 pictured (named Norsaq) was in use from 2003 to 2022. It was used on the airline's long-haul routes. It has now been retired.

Reopening the connection to Iqaluit, now the capital of Nunavut, was launched by Air Greenland in 2012.[68] From 2012 to 2013, the airline saw a shy increase of 4 passengers flying to Nunavut over the previous year.[69] However, this service ceased in 2015 due to lack of commercial viability.[70]

In July 2015, Air Greenland became a member of the European Regions Airline Association.[71] In 2015, Air Greenland phased out operation of its last Dash 7 aircraft, completing the transition of its domestic fixed-wing fleet to Dash 8-200 aircraft.[72]

Prior to 2016, Air Greenland held a 50% stake in the Arctic Umiaq Line, an unprofitable but government-subsidised ferry service, with the other 50% controlled by Royal Arctic Line. In 2016 Air Greenland sold its stake in the company to Royal Arctic Line, and since July 1, 2016 the Arctic Umiaq Line has operated as a wholly owned subsidiary of Royal Arctic Line.[73]

Air Greenland also performed charter flights within Europe on behalf of European travel agencies using its Airbus A330.[74] The A330 was used from Pituffik and Kangerlussuaq to Copenhagen Kastrup, but in January 2017, Air Greenland had announced more commercial routes to be covered by the aircraft between Iceland and Greenland.[75] In March 2017, Air Greenland also announced adding more flights to Kangerlussuaq.[76]

2020s

[edit]

Similar to most airlines, Air Greenland experienced a decline in weekly flights during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the decline was less than most airlines due to Greenland's remoteness and vast distance between the communities.[77]

In December 2022, Air Greenland took delivery of its new Airbus A330-800, named Tuukkaq. Subsequently, their older A330-200 was scrapped.

In June 2024, Air Greenland relaunched the seasonal direct flight between Iqaluit and Nuuk, serving the two cities once a week until October 2024.[78] The route is interlined with Canadian North and timed to connect passengers arriving on Canadian North flights from Kuujjuaq, Montreal and Ottawa.[79]

Air Greenland opened up new routes from Kangerlussuaq to Billund and Aalborg in 2023, with leased Boeing 737 aircraft from Jettime, a Danish charter airline. A Narsarsuaq to Billund route was also introduced.[14]

In 2015, Greenlandic government in cooperation with Danish government funding decided to expand both Nuuk and Ilulissat airports, lengthening their runways to 2,200 m and building new terminal and service buildings. The new airports signify a significant upcoming change in the Greenlandic aviation sector, both in terms of competition and route structure.[3]

The expanded Nuuk Airport is due to be complete in November 2024. Subsequently, Air Greenland has announced the transition of their transatlantic hub to Nuuk in November 2024. Air Greenland's flagship A330-800 will operate between Nuuk and Copenhagen. Seasonal routes with leased aircraft from Jettime to Aalborg and Billund will also be relocated to Nuuk Airport. The route to from Nuuk to Billund Airport will also stopover at Keflavík International Airport, expanding Air Greenland's capacity to Iceland.[3][1]

Kangerlussuaq Airport will remain a domestic airport and will be served by seasonal flights to Copenhagen as a stopover using leased aircraft. Routes from Kangerlussuaq to Aasiaat and Maniitsoq will be discontinued from November 2024 after the transition.[1]

Air Greenland and Icelandair announced a codeshare agreement, starting in summer 2025, the first comprehensive codeshare agreement Air Greenland has entered into.[citation needed]

Accidents and incidents

[edit]
OY-HAI, the S-61N at Nuuk Heliport photographed only months before its fatal crash
  • On 29 August 1961, a DHC-3 Otter (registration CF-MEX) crashed 20 kilometers (12 mi) from Kangerlussuaq. The aircraft was a non-scheduled service en route from Kangerlussuaq Airport to Aasiaat Airport when a fuel leak caused an in-flight fire. One of the pilots was killed, while the other pilot and the four passengers survived.[80]
  • On 12 May 1962, a PBY Catalina flying boat (registration CF-IHA) crashed during landing at Nuuk Airport. The accident was caused by a mechanical malfunction in the nose wheel doors preventing them from closing during landing on water, resulting in the aircraft sinking. The accident killed 15 of the 21 people on board.[81]
  • On 25 October 1973, the Akigssek ("Grouse"), an Air Greenland S-61N (registration OY-HAI), crashed about 40 kilometers (25 mi) south of Nuuk, resulting in the loss of 15 lives. It was en route to Paamiut from Nuuk. The same helicopter had had an emergency landing on the Kangerlussuaq fjord 2 years earlier, due to a double flameout on both engines because of ice in its intake.[82]
  • On 7 June 2008, a Eurocopter AS350 crashed on the runway at Nuuk Airport.[83] There were no injuries, but the helicopter was damaged beyond repair.[83][84]
  • On 29 January 2014, Air Greenland Flight 3205, an Air Greenland Dash 8-Q202 (registration OY-GRI), was involved in a runway excursion accident at Ilulissat Airport (BGJN), Greenland.[85] Flight GL3205 originated in Kangerlussuaq Airport (BGSF), Greenland. Four passengers were taken to the hospital for observation, there were no fatalities or serious injuries. The aircraft went off the left side of the runway and down a 10–15-metre (33–49 ft) dropoff and came to rest on rocky terrain approximately abeam the runway 25 threshold. There was strong crosswind conditions gusting at 35 knots (65 km/h; 40 mph). The aircraft was not repaired.[85]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
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