Freight and Mail Delays Plague Sisimiut Businesses
In the heart of Sisimiut, several local businesses are grappling with significant delays in freight and mail deliveries, leading to mounting frustration over the freshness of essential goods such as food and flowers. Air Greenland, the primary air freight service provider, is working diligently to address these issues.
Local shop owners are vocal about their dissatisfaction. “Sisimiut must have its goods on time,” they assert, emphasizing the urgent need for reliable deliveries.
Arctic Circle Business, an association representing various enterprises, has also flagged serious concerns regarding air freight operations to and from the region. Many of its members rely on timely deliveries, but the reality paints a starkly different picture. As business operators in the city point out, Air Greenland has openly acknowledged the necessity for improvement.
One notable example is Sisimiut Fresh Farm, a key supplier of fresh ingredients to hotels and cafes. Owner Palli Fleischer Lyberth expressed exasperation over the unreliability of deliveries. “When we’re striving for greater self-sufficiency in Greenland, it’s incredibly frustrating when goods don’t arrive fresh. If they’re not fresh, they’re unusable,” he said.
Another local business, the florist Paarna, has also felt the impact. Owner Kamilla Jensen reported frequent delays, with flowers sometimes arriving damaged. She noted a significant deterioration in service since the Atlantic traffic was redirected to Nuuk. “We’ve repeatedly requested prioritization for our flowers, and Air Greenland had assured us they would assist,” Jensen explained. However, the ongoing delays have forced her to reconsider the viability of importing flowers altogether. “If too many are spoiled, it simply isn’t financially sustainable,” she lamented.
Air Greenland has acknowledged the complaints coming from Sisimiut and the broader implications they carry. In a statement to Sermitsiaq, the company admitted to facing considerable challenges with postal and freight shipments that have disrupted both personal and commercial activities.
“We understand the frustration this has caused, and we want to provide clarity on the situation and inform you about the measures we are taking,” the airline announced. Air Greenland cited a combination of factors contributing to the delays, including increased cargo volumes, restrictions and cancellations at Nuuk Airport, and the introduction of a new cargo management system.
To address these persistent issues, Air Greenland is implementing various strategies, such as adding ad hoc capacity and extra cargo flights, optimizing terminal processes for quicker handling, and stabilizing the freight system. The company anticipates that these efforts will yield significant improvements in the near future.
“We aim to restore trust in our supply chain and find solutions that work for both individual consumers and businesses throughout Greenland,” they stated. Air Greenland concluded with an apology for the inconvenience caused by the delays, expressing gratitude for the patience and understanding shown by the community.