Air Greenland leases Airbus A320neo ahead of Ilulissat Airport expansion

Air Greenland intends to use the new jet on a route from Ilulissat Airport, which is undergoing significant expansion. This includes a new terminal and runway extension set for completion in late-2026. Currently, Icelandair offers seasonal flights from Ilulissat to Reykjavik.

Jacob Nitter Sørensen, CEO at Air Greenland, stated: "The delivery time for new Airbus aircraft is currently 6-7 years, so we have chosen to lease the aircraft to be ready when the new international airport in Ilulissat opens and to gain financial flexibility as the route is still new."

Sørensen added: "We have high hopes for the new route to Ilulissat and see the lease agreement as a catalyst for exciting opportunities on our route network." Currently, Air Greenland operates direct flights between Nuuk and Copenhagen using an Airbus A330-800.

The airline's pilots will undergo retraining programs for operating the A320neo alongside existing crew members from their Airbus A330neo fleet. According to Air Greenland: “Tuukkaq crews will therefore also be able to fly the new A320neo aircraft, supplemented by retrained Dash-8 pilots.”

Maintenance operations for the A320neo will be based in Copenhagen under an arrangement with SAS, which already maintains Air Greenland's A330-800 Neo.