There are no other direct flights to Greenland than from the Icelandic capitol, Reykjavik, because the runway in Nuuk is not long enough for bigger planes to land. Work to extend the runways in Nuuk and Ilulissat is being carried out, to accommodate larger aircrafts in the future.

It is a common misconception that there are no flights to Greenland; however, flights are indeed extremely limited and expensive due to the island’s unique geography and isolation. In 2026, the primary reason for the lack of "mass market" flights is the shortage of large-scale airport infrastructure. Until recently, most international flights had to land at Kangerlussuaq—a former US military base—because the runways in the capital, Nuuk, were too short for modern jetliners. While Nuuk’s international airport expansion is now operational, the harsh and unpredictable Arctic weather still causes frequent cancellations and "U-turns" mid-flight. Currently, direct service is mostly restricted to Iceland and Denmark (via Air Greenland and Icelandair), with a notable seasonal "bridge" from the US (Newark) operated by United Airlines. High operational costs, the need for specialized pilot training for mountain and wind conditions, and a limited number of hotel beds in the territory make it a high-risk route for most commercial carriers, keeping Greenland as one of the most exclusive and difficult-to-reach destinations in the Northern Hemisphere.