Last updated: Oct 6, 2026
Ilulissat‘s new international airport is set to open with direct flights from Copenhagen, giving Arctic Greenland a new entry point. The first flight is scheduled for Thursday, 29 October 2026, with a winter schedule running 2 November 2026 through March 2027.
New Airport and Flight Schedule
Air Greenland’s A330-800neo Tuukkaq will inaugurate the direct Copenhagen-Ilulissat route on 29 October 2026.
From 2 November 2026 through March 2027, Jettime Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft will operate mainly on Wednesdays, with extra Monday departures around Christmas, New Year and 1–27 March, per Air Greenland’s airport-opening page.
From April 2027 the route transitions to Air Greenland A320neo Unaaq, with flight numbers changing to GL705 (Copenhagen to Ilulissat) and GL706 (return). Peak summer (mid-June to early September 2027) raises frequency to as many as six weekly rotations.
Leg
Flight
Depart
Arrive (local)
Copenhagen to Ilulissat
GL707 / GL705
09:45
11:45
Ilulissat to Copenhagen
GL708 / GL706
13:15
21:00
GL707 and GL708 are the Jettime flight numbers; GL705 and GL706 apply once the A320neo takes over. Flying time is about 5 hours to Ilulissat and 4 hours 45 minutes back, since Ilulissat is 3 hours behind Copenhagen.
What This Changes for Travelers
Until the route starts, there is no direct flight between Copenhagen and Ilulissat; travelers connect through other Greenlandic airports. The direct Copenhagen link cuts travel time and opens the Disko Bay region to international travelers without a domestic transfer.
Check Air Greenland’s winter schedule announcement for the latest schedule adjustments before booking.
Booking and Entry Notes
Tickets are on sale through Air Greenland’s website and Club Timmisa.
Greenland has its own entry rules, which the Danish Immigration Service sets out:
Passport: An ID card from an EU or Schengen country does not grant entry to Greenland, so bring a passport. ID cards issued by a Nordic country are accepted.
Visa: If you can enter Denmark without a visa, you can also enter Greenland without one. If you need a visa, a Danish or Schengen visa alone does not cover Greenland; your visa sticker must state that it is valid for Greenland.
Where to stay: Compare hotels in Ilulissat.
Flying to Greenland?
Compare fares from Copenhagen, then confirm the day with the airline.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the airport open to international passengers?
The inaugural flight is 29 October 2026, and the winter schedule runs from 2 November with regular flights mainly on Wednesdays.
When Greenland Airports announced the October 2026 opening in November 2025, final operational approval from the Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority was still to come.
What if there is no direct flight on my travel day?
On other days, Air Greenland keeps the Copenhagen connection via Nuuk, with flights from Ilulissat to Nuuk and onward to Copenhagen on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
How many seats are on the winter flights?
The Jettime Boeing 737-800 NG that flies the route from November has 180 seats, according to Air Greenland.
Can I fly on to other towns in Disko Bay or farther north the same day?
Some, yes. Air Greenland lists same-day connections from Copenhagen to Aasiaat and Upernavik on Wednesdays, and to Qaarsut and Uummannaq on Mondays from 1 March 2027.
Travelers to or from Qaanaaq, and from Upernavik to Copenhagen, should expect to stay overnight in Ilulissat.
Is service daily?
No; frequency rises to up to six weekly only in peak summer 2027. Confirm the current rotation before traveling.
Sources
Air Greenland, Ilulissat Airport Opening
Air Greenland, New Winter Flight Schedule 2026 for Ilulissat (24 February 2026)
Greenland Airports, Airport Opening Dates for Qaqortoq and Ilulissat Airports (26 November 2025)
Danish Immigration Service, Visa for Greenland and the Faroe Islands (updated 4 September 2026)
Image: Icebergs in the Ilulissat Icefjord. Photo by Dominique Müller on Pexels.
Disclaimer: We’ve worked hard to make sure the information in this article is as accurate and up to date as possible at the time of publishing. Travel details such as prices, schedules, visa rules, and entry requirements can change at short notice, so it remains your responsibility to verify the current details with official sources before you book or travel. Wego accepts no liability for any loss or inconvenience arising from the use of this content.