The direct connection between New York and Nuuk is now a reality.
A little after half past six on Saturday evening, the first direct flight between Nuuk and New York could be glimpsed in the gray sky above Nuuk.
And at 6:35 p.m. – exactly as planned – the plane’s wheels hit the relatively new asphalt on the runway in front of the many locals who were standing on the side of the road and could see the runway. The plane was – as tradition dictates – greeted with water cannons and blue eyes from the airport’s fire engines.
In addition to the salute, the event was celebrated with a reception at the airport, where the Minister of Commerce, Mineral Resources, Energy, Justice and Equality, Naaja H. Nathanielsen, as well as the Director of Greenland Airports, Jens Lauritzen, and the Vice President of United Airlines, Patrick Quayle, spoke about the new connection.
They all highlighted the opportunities offered by the new route.
– Just a short flight away from the United States, you can find a beautiful Arctic community. We hope many of you will come and experience our country from south to north and from west to east. Each region with its own special adventures to stimulate body and soul, united in pride in our country, said Naaja H. Nathanielsen in her short speech.
But she also highlighted some of the differences between the two countries.
– Instead of fast food, we have food that moves quickly before we catch it, and we offer authenticity, beauty and a good experience, she said, among other things.
Obvious opportunities in a collaboration
Later she spoke more about the possibilities with KNR.
– The route opens up a very large market in the USA, and one of the things we want to do is develop tourism. We can see that it already plays a fairly large role in our economy, and there are obvious opportunities in cooperation between the USA and Greenland, said Naaja Nathanielsen
However, she emphasized that on a political level, there are some elements that are inappropriate.
– But if we just look at it from a business perspective, it makes a lot of sense to look at the American market in relation to tourism.
– And this is another opportunity to tell the Americans that we are Greenlanders. That we are not Danes, that we are not Americans, and we do not want to be. This is an opportunity to be able to say that to them and tell them about our country, our democracy and our ambitions.
The official ceremony at the airport concluded with the speakers cutting a cake, and the festivities were soon guided into the city for a party for the invited guests.