Entrepreneur Voices Concerns Over Greenland Airports’ Competitive Practices
Mads Petersen, the founder of Arctic Unmanned and a key player in establishing a drone center in Kangerlussuaq, has raised alarm bells over what he perceives as competitive threats from Greenland Airports. “I fear that Greenland Airports will start a competing business against us,” he stated, expressing his frustration and uncertainty about the future of his venture.
Petersen has taken the step of formally lodging a complaint with Aqqaluaq B. Egede, the Naalakkersuisut member responsible for Housing, Infrastructure, and Outlying Districts, in light of what he describes as harassment from Greenland Airports.
The root of the issue lies in the proposed downsizing of services at Kangerlussuaq. The plan includes replacing air traffic control services—currently managed by licensed air traffic controllers—with an Aerodrome Flight Information Service (AFIS), standardizing operations across airports in Greenland.
“We began working on establishing a drone test center in Kangerlussuaq back in 2023,” Petersen explained. “During this process, we collaborated closely with the Swedish Transport Agency to create a restricted area for drone flights.” This area, situated approximately seven kilometers west of the airport, is essential for conducting drone tests without interfering with air traffic.
On September 15, 2023, a meeting was held with the Danish Transport Agency, leading to the submission of an application for the restricted area just three days later. Petersen detailed that by January 2024, he had sent a letter of agreement to Isavia, the Icelandic air traffic control authority overseeing Kangerlussuaq.
After months of anticipation, the Swedish Transport Agency approved the drone test area on April 10, 2024. However, following the planned transition to AFIS, Greenland Airports requested additional documentation in July 2025, which Petersen promptly provided.
Then, on September 12, 2025, he received shocking news: the Swedish Transport Agency announced the cancellation of the drone test area, set to take effect on November 26, 2025, coinciding with the shift to AFIS. “It surprised me to learn that Greenland Airports is preparing to establish its own drone test areas,” he remarked.
Petersen believes this development represents an abuse of power by Greenland Airports, a self-governing entity, suggesting that it is unfairly positioned to operate in direct competition with his company. “I shared information with them under the assumption we were collaborating,” he added. “Now, it feels like a conspiracy, where a public enterprise competes against a private one.”
Furthermore, he pointed out that Greenland Airports is already in collaboration with the UAS Denmark Test Center, which operates out of HCA Airport in Odense, another municipally owned facility. Both are aimed at conducting test flights within the same area where Arctic Unmanned has set its sights.
Feeling deceived and disheartened, Petersen has escalated his concerns to Aqqaluaq B. Egede. “If the self-government believes that competing with private companies is acceptable, I might have no choice but to shutter Arctic Unmanned, which would mean passing up on new opportunities for drone testing in Arctic conditions,” he lamented.
He has been approached by several drone manufacturers eager to test their technology in Kangerlussuaq, but uncertainty looms over whether Arctic Unmanned will retain access to the area. Some drone equipment is already prepared, awaiting special approvals from the Swedish Transport Agency due to weight classifications.
Petersen expressed his opposition to competition between public and private sectors, arguing that public entities have substantial financial backing from taxpayers, while private companies must generate their own revenue. “Shouldn’t Greenland Airports focus on managing the airports rather than delving into drone operations?” he questioned.
In response to his grievances shared on LinkedIn, Greenland Airports emphasized that the restricted area was never exclusively reserved but available to all who applied for and received permissions from the Danish Transport Agency. “Our duty is to ensure safe and equitable access to the airport’s airspace, including for drone activities,” they stated in a comment directed at Petersen.
However, Petersen remains unconvinced. “This doesn’t change anything. It just reinforces my belief that they intend to take over the drone test area,” he argued. “It appears they see Arctic Unmanned, located away from the airport, as not significantly contributing to airport revenue.”
In addition to Arctic Unmanned, Mads Petersen also oversees Dronepilot.gl, an initiative that has trained numerous Greenlandic drone pilots since 2016. An experienced AFIS operator, he previously served as airport manager in Maniitsoq.
As this situation unfolds, the future of drone operations in Kangerlussuaq hangs in the balance, raising crucial questions about collaboration and competition within the territory’s evolving aviation landscape.