Criticism of parking conditions and access road to the new airport

Many people are surprised that the parking lot in front of the airport in Nuuk is often completely empty of cars. At the same time, travelers are directed to the long-term parking on the mountain. “But if we are going to be an international airport, then these are the security rules,” says the director of Greenland Airports.

Travelers are happy with the new airport in Nuuk, but since its opening in November, many have expressed surprise, confusion and frustration about the parking conditions.

The travelers are happyAnnouncement

Why are only taxis, buses and airport employees allowed to park close to the terminal, while travelers are confined to the long-term parking lot on the mountain opposite the terminal, unless you can drop off or pick up passengers in less than 3 minutes in the Kiss & Fly area? 

Challenge in bad weather 

For travelers with small children and many suitcases, as well as older people with walking difficulties, it can be a challenge to get from the long-term parking on the mountain, down the stairs and across the square to the terminal – especially when it is windy, slippery and cold. And several travelers experienced in the winter and spring that the snow in the parking lot and on the stairs had not been cleared, which made it even more unsafe to get there.

And when you come down the stairs and see the almost completely empty parking spaces in front of the airport, you may wonder why there hasn’t been room to establish parking here.

Safety rules

MOTOORI

The article is published in the supplement Motoori. You can find Motoori HERE

 Greenland Airports has already been in a media storm after they pointed out on Facebook in March that the area near the terminal is part of the airport’s security zone, and that this is why travelers are not allowed to park there for more than 3 minutes.

“In the event of an emergency, rescue vehicles and emergency personnel must have unhindered and rapid access to the terminal. Therefore, parking is not permitted in this area – only short stops.” 

Greenland Airports further writes that for security reasons, unidentified cars are also not allowed to park in certain areas – for example, in front of the terminal and along the roads at the airport. And in addition, the staff parking at the terminal is an area that may only be used by security-approved users, i.e. airport staff, police, customs officers, etc. 

One-stop-security 

Regarding the travelers’ frustrations, Director of Greenland Airports, Jens Lauridsen, responds that he can understand it, but that the rules on distance requirements must be observed if the new airport is to obtain international safety approvals.

– I understand that people are surprised when we now have a large and nice asphalt area right in front of the terminal, where cars are not allowed. But if we are to have the one-stop security approval, there are some requirements for how far it must be from where the planes are parked and to the public parking.

– I agree that it is a big change compared to the old terminal in Nuuk, where you could almost stand on the runway. It takes some getting used to, but if we want to be an international airport, there are different rules that apply. 

Covering the stairs 

Jens Lauridsen acknowledges, however, that there have been challenges with access conditions from the long-term parking lot and to the terminal. 

– The stairs from the long-term parking lot down to the terminal have not been optimal. And we are therefore looking into whether we can establish a cover over the stairs so that travelers do not have to worry about whether it has been properly cleared of snow, says Jens Lauridsen, who explains that the airport actually had three men to shovel snow all winter, but that unfortunately it was not enough.

The plan is for the roof to be finished before the first snow falls again. Take public transport or get a ride In terms of walking from the long-term parking lot and down the stairs and across the square with small children, suitcases, strollers and much more, Jens Lauridsen encourages travelers to take public transport, taxis or let family or friends drive them to the airport. Alternatively, drive into the short-term parking lot and unload, and then let one of the travelers take the walk from the long-term parking lot and down to the terminal. – But it is clear that if you are traveling alone with children, for example, it is a bit more hassle than you may have previously been used to, says Jens Lauridsen.

Servicepersonale

Several locals also say they have had negative experiences with the service staff in front of the terminal. For example, one writes on Facebook: “I understand that there must be guidelines, but the tone and way they are enforced is very important. I hope that in the future there will be a greater focus on service, flexibility and respect for those who also use our new international airport.”

When asked whether Greenland Airports focuses on good service and communication, Jens Lauridsen replies that it is an area that is actually a particular focus at the moment at all airports in Greenland. 

– We are a service company, and therefore we must treat our customers properly. If there are problems with the service, it is definitely something we need to follow up on. We are actually running a number of service courses at all our airports with the aim of becoming more service-minded, says Jens Lauridsen. 

Betaling for parkering 

The Greenland Airport website states that they will eventually introduce an automatic payment system for long-term parking beyond 3 hours. 

According to the overview, a day’s parking will cost 45 kroner while a week will cost 295 kroner.

 – But as long as we are messing around with getting the long-term parking space finally finished, we will not introduce the payment system. It is not about a cash machine either, but rather that we do not want people to use the long-term parking to park their car for several months, as we have seen previously at the old terminal, says Jens Lauridsen.