Nuuk International Airport Live Cam

History

The origins of Nuuk International Airport trace back to the geopolitical exigencies of the Second World War, when the United States Army Air Forces established a rudimentary airstrip and weather station on the rocky plateau above Nuuk in 1942. This wartime facility, constructed under the Greenland weather station program, served dual roles: gathering critical meteorological data for North Atlantic convoys and providing a forward base for anti-submarine patrols. Pilots recalled landing on packed snow and crushed gravel, often guided only by handheld signal lamps and primitive radio beacons in polar twilight. These early “Arctic airfield” operations laid the groundwork for post-war civilian aviation in Greenland.

In the late 1950s, as Greenland transitioned into greater integration with the Kingdom of Denmark, the Danish government invested in upgrading the gravel runway to an all-weather strip, enabling the first Air Greenland passenger flights in de Havilland Otter aircraft. By 1960, Nuuk Airport—initially designated by the International Civil Aviation Organization as BGA—saw the inauguration of scheduled services connecting Nuuk to Kangerlussuaq (formerly Bluie West One) and the southern settlements. These early flights pioneered the concept of “Greenland domestic travel,” opening the vast icebound hinterland to administrative staff, missionaries, and Inuit families relocating to emerging urban centers.

The 1970s brought further modernization: the installation of radio navigation aids, construction of a modest terminal building, and extension of the runway to accommodate medium turboprops such as the Fokker F27 Friendship. Nuuk became the nucleus of Greenland’s inter-settlement network, with Air Greenland’s orange-and-white fleet serving as lifelines for cargo, medical evacuations, and passenger travel. Tourists seeking Arctic adventure began to trickle in, attracted by the novelty of jet service into the “capital of Greenland” and the promise of polar climate exploration.

Entering the 21st century, growing passenger traffic and international interest in Arctic tourism prompted a comprehensive redevelopment. Between 2012 and 2015, the runway was repaved and equipped with modern runway lighting and a Category I instrument-landing system, enabling approaches in low-visibility polar weather. The new terminal, clad in corrugated steel and tempered-glass façades, incorporated sustainable design principles—using waste heat recovery and geothermal preheating—to withstand Nuuk’s harsh winters. In 2016, the International Air Transport Association recognized Nuuk International Airport with the “Safety & Efficiency Award” for innovations in remote airport operations.

Today, under the airport code GOH (Greenland’s historic Dutch name, Grönlandia), Nuuk International Airport stands as the busiest “airport in Greenland” after Kangerlussuaq, handling over 120,000 passengers annually on average. It serves as the principal hub for Air Greenland’s Q400 Dash-8 fleet, linking the Arctic capital to Copenhagen, Reykjavik, and domestic settlements—cementing its role as a strategic node in the burgeoning network of “Arctic aviation.”

Surroundings and Local Attractions

Perched at an elevation of just 44 meters above sea level, Nuuk International Airport overlooks the dramatic fjord system of Nuup Kangerlua, Greenland’s longest fjord. From the air, the serpentine glacial valleys and iceberg-strewn waters present a tableau of polar geography that ranks among the world’s most spectacular “fjord scenery.” The airport’s proximity—just 2 nautical miles—from the heart of Nuuk makes it uniquely accessible for travelers eager to transition swiftly from aircraft cabin to urban exploration.

To the northeast lies the Sermitsiaq mountain, whose distinctive saddleback silhouette dominates Nuuk’s skyline and provides one of the most popular “hiking trails in Greenland.” Guided treks ascend steep scree slopes to panoramic ridges where hikers can survey the entire ice-capped hinterland. Near the airport’s service road, small tundra patches bloom with Arctic wildflowers—edible crowberries and purple Arctic lupine—during the brief summer thaw, drawing botanists and “Greenland wildlife tours” enthusiasts to document endemic flora and migratory geese.

Just south of the runway, the waterfront district known as Old Nuuk boasts traditional brightly painted wooden houses—kajuit—interspersed with modern cultural institutions like Katuaq, the Greenlandic Culture Centre. Here, visitors can delve into Inuit art, watching local artisans carve soapstone and craft vivid tupilaks (spirit figures), or attend concerts showcasing drum dances and Greenlandic folk music. A short fjord cruise departs nearby, offering “iceberg sightseeing tours” that navigate into sheltered bays where tabular icebergs calve gently from the inland ice sheet.

For adrenaline seekers, the surrounding hills host heliskiing operators who land on remote glaciers to drop clients onto pristine ice fields. Meanwhile, those seeking relaxation can drive less than 10 kilometers along the coastal road to the hot springs at Qorlortorsuaq, harnessing geothermal vents for spa-like bathing experiences. The airport’s rental car counters provide 4x4 vehicles—key for traversing unpaved tracks to tribal fishing villages like Kapisillit, famed for its salmon-rich river and summer “Greenland fishing tours.”

Technical Infrastructure and Operational Features

Nuuk International Airport operates a single asphalt runway designated 12/30, measuring 950 meters in length and 23 meters in width—optimally sized for the Dash-8 Q400 series utilized by Air Greenland. Although relatively short by international standards, the runway incorporates engineered materials arrestor systems (EMAS) at both ends to enhance safety margins during wet or snow-covered conditions. The runway pavement classification number (PCN) of 20/R/B/W/T reflects robust load-bearing capacity suited to turboprop operations but limits jet traffic to smaller business jets under special dispensation.

Navigation and landing aids include a Category I Instrument Landing System (ILS) for runway 30, supplemented by a VHF omnidirectional range (VOR/DME) station and GPS-based RNAV (RNP AR) procedures that facilitate all-weather approaches in polar twilight and heavy snowfall. The airport’s meteorological service issues METAR and TAF reports, monitoring parameters critical to Arctic operations: surface temperature (often dropping below –25 °C in midwinter), wind shear from katabatic gusts off the ice sheet, and sea ice extent in the fjord approaches.

Infrastructure for winter operations is extensive: dedicated snowplows, rotating brush sweepers, and high-capacity snow blowers clear the runway and apron areas, while glycol-based deicing pads near the terminal ensure rapid turnaround of aircraft. Hangar space accommodates three Dash-8 Q400s, each berth equipped with fuel hydrant points delivering Jet A-1 with special Arctic fuel additives to prevent cold-soak clogging. Backup power generators and uninterruptible power supplies maintain runway lighting and airfield ground lighting (AGL) circuits during frequent polar night power fluctuations.

Passenger facilities within the 2,500 m² terminal include three departure gates with heated waiting areas, customs and immigration counters for international flights, and a Greenlandic handicraft shop stocking sealskin gloves and ulu knives. A small VIP lounge offers refreshments sourced from local fisheries—smoked halibut and reindeer jerky—while Wi-Fi connectivity extends across the terminal, enabling real-time flight tracking and weather briefing for expedition crews.

Air traffic control is provided by Kalaallit Nunaanni Naatsorsueqqissaartarfik (Greenland Air Traffic Control), coordinating both civilian and search-and-rescue (SAR) missions under the Joint Arctic Rescue Coordination Centre. Frequencies are monitored 24/7, and a secondary radar system tracks aircraft transiting the polar corridor between Europe and North America. Emergency response teams, trained in cold-weather firefighting and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) protocols, maintain readiness in a fire station located adjacent to the apron.

New Tip: When planning your Greenland adventure, choose an Air Greenland Dash-8 window seat on the left side for optimal views of Sermitsiaq and the branching fjords as you approach Nuuk, and always carry a compact camera with a polarizing filter to capture icebergs with reduced glare.

Interesting Fact: Hidden beneath the tarmac lies the remnants of the original World War II gravel runway; during terminal renovations, workers uncovered sections of the old airstrip, including US Army survey markers still legible after more than 75 years in the Arctic cold.