Leading aviation consultancy ASM has been appointed by Kalaallit Airports International A/S to assist in the development of air services to Greenland, the world’s largest island located between the Arctic and Atlantic oceans.

The partnership is a three-year deal to develop a network strategy and implement a plan to improve connectivity to the country, considered one of the most unspoiled destinations on earth. The project will involve working closely with Kalaallit Airports’ team and local stakeholders in Greenland to attract nonstop international flights.

Kalaallit Airports International A/S, established by the Government of Greenland and the Government of Denmark in 2019, is behind the expansion of the existing airport in the capital Nuuk and in the tourism centre of Ilulissat.

The development of these two airports will open up new possibilities for direct flights from Europe, North America and Asia to some of the unique destinations across Greenland, home to magnificent scenery including some of the planet’s most spectacular fjords. Currently, international services to Greenland are mainly limited to flights from Denmark and Iceland.

The existing runway in Nuuk will be extended from 950 to 2,220 metres and in Ilulissat from 845 to 2,200 metres, enabling both airports to accommodate larger aircraft such as the Airbus A330.

Jens Lauridsen, CEO of Kalaallit Airports Holding A/S, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with ASM. The team has an enormous amount of experience in helping airports to reposition themselves and secure traffic growth. Given the challenging aviation environment we find ourselves in, it is imperative that we can learn from ASM’s experience and work closely with airlines and our stakeholder community.”

ASM has been supporting airports, governments and airlines in developing their network strategies for more than 25 years. The company works with clients to identify potential new air services, prepare business cases, negotiate with airlines and ensure that new routes are sustainable.

David Stroud, Managing Director of ASM, said: “Greenland has a unique market opportunity, and the development of airport infrastructure will provide a catalyst to more than just traffic growth—it will help to the economic recovery post COVID-19. Improved connectivity will stimulate the economy and stimulate a tourism market that is largely untapped.”

Between 2016 and 2018, Greenland saw a 10.8% rise in the number of overnight stays and a 3.3% increase in the number of international flight passengers. Over the next three years Visit Greenland is seeking to further develop the country’s tourism industry, particularly in the adventure travel market.

For more information on the Kalaallit Airports International A/S or ASM, contact David Stroud at [email protected]

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For further information visit: https://www.asm-global.com/