– The world was not rosy before Nuuk became a destination for Atlantic traffic, says the chairman of the Industry Committee for Tourism, among other things, Helge Tang, in response to criticism of the many changes in traffic between Nuuk and Copenhagen.

Air Greenland’s many cancellations in winter and spring have affected several tourism companies in the country, but the industry committee for tourism, among other things, under the Greenland Business Association does not believe it is as bad as some make it out to be.

Air Greenlands

The chairman of the industry committee, Helge Tang, who is also known from Hotel Hans Egede, says when asked what the changes mean for the tourism industry that there was also a waiting time previously.

Air Greenland’s many cancellations in winter and spring have affected several tourism companies in the country, but the industry committee for tourism, among other things, under the Greenland Business Association does not believe it is as bad as some make it out to be.

Air Greenlands Announcement

ÅRSAG TIL AFLYSNINGER

Air Greenland stated earlier this month that there have been an extremely high number of cancellations on transatlantic flights this year. A total of 32 transatlantic flights have been cancelled or diverted in the first four months of the year. In the same period last year, the number was just one flight, CEO Jacob Nitter Sørensen told Sermtisiaq.AG.

Inga Dora Markussen, who is CSO at Air Greenland (Chief Sustainability Officer), subsequently told Sermitsiaq that it was not clear from the article, but the 32 cancellations are from both legs – that is, from Copenhagen to Nuuk and from Nuuk to Copenhagen, and that other departures are also included in the number.

– The window for landing in low visibility on runway 04 (from the south) is limited, as the instrument landing system (ILS) on that runway has not been put into use. Therefore, it sets a limitation, says Inga Dora Markussen, who does not know why the ILS on 04 has not been put into use.

– The second thing is weather data, and it is a difficult exercise because the official METAR is valid for the OCC’s (operations control center’s) decisions. So when we can see that there is a good chance of landing, offloading and unloading the plane in the groundstop, we take off from Copenhagen. But the reality is a little different when the outlook is not correct. There are many “exciting” explanations for these things, but we are looking at alternative solutions, which will probably be clarified very soon, says Inga Dora Markussen to Sermitsiaq. 

/Poul 

METAR is a concise (approx. 60 characters) text that, after specific formatting, tells what the weather is observed to be like at a given time at a specific airport. Meteorological Aerodrome Report.

METAR is a concise (approx. 60 characters) text that, after specific formatting, tells what the weather is observed to be like at a given time at a specific airport. Meteorological Aerodrome Report.

Source: Wikipedia

The chairman of the industry committee, Helge Tang, who is also known from Hotel Hans Egede, says when asked what the changes mean for the tourism industry that there was also a waiting time previously.

– As we experience it, there is not a simple and universal answer to the question. Partly because not everyone in the industry is affected negatively at the moment, and partly because a large part of the situation is due to the weather, explains the chairman of the industry committee. 

He points out that there is nothing new in the fact that the weather often determines the course of life here in our part of the world.

– We have learned that we must adapt to the whims of nature. It has always been that way. But it is clear that there has also been a change after the Atlantic flight moved from Kangerlussuaq to Nuuk. For better or worse. The fact that everyone has to go through Nuuk means that destinations on the coast are affected when weather conditions do not allow normal operations to and from Nuuk. It was not like that before. 

– But we must also remember that the world was not rosy before. And the reality is that most travelers have to go to and from Nuuk. That’s how it is with a capital city.

And that rarely happens without the risk of delays, when for decades we traveled to and from Nuuk via Kangerlussuaq, he points out.

– Over the years, I have no idea how many nights my colleagues, employees and guests have spent unwanted in Kangerlussuaq. Or how many hours you could end up sitting on a hard bench, waiting for more information later in the day, explains Helge Tang, referring to his hotel business.

When it works

Helge Tang says, however, that on the days when it works flawlessly – and there are most of them – it has become easier and more travel-friendly to get to and from Nuuk.

He also believes that it offers good prospects for the future when more airlines fly on the route and that there are more activities for tourists.

– But it’s a bit of a “chicken and egg” story, which comes first. It requires long-term investments from all parties. Long-term planning by the public sector; and a very targeted and patient investment from private investors and business people, he believes. 

– New tourism products, new tourism operators, new hotels and new flight routes cannot be expected to become a good business overnight. But if you have a strong product that suits the tourists coming to Greenland, and a long-term perspective on your investment, the future looks attractive.

– In Nuuk, there is still excellent business in the tourism industry today. Probably precisely because of long-term investments and many players who have been here for many years and who have also run healthy businesses before the international airport was put into use, says the chairman of the industry committee. 

He believes that it is also positive for the future that the challenges with the infrastructure were already clear from the beginning when the airport package was adopted. When the international airport in the north and the one in the south are ready, there will be a completely different regularity on the routes around the country. Just as one can develop the tourism products that best suit the local destinations. 

However, he emphasizes that it is also important to look even more closely at the need for service and comfort.

– Travelers today have higher expectations for service and comfort than 30 and 50 years ago. It is not enough to get from A to B when traveling. But they also want good experiences and a high level of service when traveling, points out Helge Tang.

Air Greenland’s many cancellations in winter and spring have affected several tourism companies in the country, but the industry committee for tourism, among other things, under the Greenland Business Association does not believe it is as bad as some make it out to be.

Air Greenlands

The chairman of the industry committee, Helge Tang, who is also known from Hotel Hans Egede, says when asked what the changes mean for the tourism industry that there was also a waiting time previously.

Air Greenland’s many cancellations in winter and spring have affected several tourism companies in the country, but the industry committee for tourism, among other things, under the Greenland Business Association does not believe it is as bad as some make it out to be.

Air Greenlands Announcement

ÅRSAG TIL AFLYSNINGER

Air Greenland stated earlier this month that there have been an extremely high number of cancellations on transatlantic flights this year. A total of 32 transatlantic flights have been cancelled or diverted in the first four months of the year. In the same period last year, the number was just one flight, CEO Jacob Nitter Sørensen told Sermtisiaq.AG.

Inga Dora Markussen, who is CSO at Air Greenland (Chief Sustainability Officer), subsequently told Sermitsiaq that it was not clear from the article, but the 32 cancellations are from both legs – that is, from Copenhagen to Nuuk and from Nuuk to Copenhagen, and that other departures are also included in the number.

– The window for landing in low visibility on runway 04 (from the south) is limited, as the instrument landing system (ILS) on that runway has not been put into use. Therefore, it places a limitation, says Inga Dora Markussen, who does not know why the ILS on 04 has not been put into use.

– The second thing is weather data, and it is a difficult exercise because the official METAR is valid for the OCC’s (operations control center’s) decisions. So when we can see that there is a good chance of landing, offloading and unloading the plane in the groundstop, we take off from Copenhagen. But the reality is a little different when the outlook is not correct. There are many “exciting” explanations for these things, but we are looking at alternative solutions, which will probably be clarified very soon, says Inga Dora Markussen to Sermitsiaq. 

/Poul 

METAR is a concise (approx. 60 characters) text that, after specific formatting, tells what the weather is observed to be like at a given time at a specific airport. Meteorological Aerodrome Report.

METAR is a concise (approx. 60 characters) text that, after specific formatting, tells what the weather is observed to be like at a given time at a specific airport. Meteorological Aerodrome Report.

Source: Wikipedia

The chairman of the industry committee, Helge Tang, who is also known from Hotel Hans Egede, says when asked what the changes mean for the tourism industry that there was also a waiting time previously.

– As we experience it, there is not a simple and universal answer to the question. Partly because not everyone in the industry is affected negatively at the moment, and partly because a large part of the situation is due to the weather, explains the chairman of the industry committee. 

He points out that there is nothing new in the fact that the weather often determines the course of life here in our part of the world.

– We have learned that we must adapt to the whims of nature. It has always been that way. But it is clear that there has also been a change after the Atlantic flight moved from Kangerlussuaq to Nuuk. For better or worse. The fact that everyone has to go through Nuuk means that destinations on the coast are affected when weather conditions do not allow normal operations to and from Nuuk. It was not like that before. 

– But we must also remember that the world was not rosy before. And the reality is that most travelers have to go to and from Nuuk. That’s how it is with a capital city.

And that rarely happens without the risk of delays, when for decades we traveled to and from Nuuk via Kangerlussuaq, he points out.

– Over the years, I have no idea how many nights my colleagues, employees and guests have spent unwanted in Kangerlussuaq. Or how many hours you could end up sitting on a hard bench, waiting for more information later in the day, explains Helge Tang, referring to his hotel business.

When it works

Helge Tang says, however, that on the days when it works flawlessly – and there are most of them – it has become easier and more travel-friendly to get to and from Nuuk.

He also believes that it offers good prospects for the future when more airlines fly on the route and that there are more activities for tourists.

– But it’s a bit of a “chicken and egg” story, which comes first. It requires long-term investments from all parties. Long-term planning by the public sector; and a very targeted and patient investment from private investors and business people, he believes. 

– New tourism products, new tourism operators, new hotels and new flight routes cannot be expected to become a good business overnight. But if you have a strong product that suits the tourists coming to Greenland, and a long-term perspective on your investment, the future looks attractive.

– In Nuuk, there is still excellent business in the tourism industry today. Probably precisely because of long-term investments and many players who have been here for many years and who have also run healthy businesses before the international airport was put into use, says the chairman of the industry committee. 

He believes that it is also positive for the future that the challenges with the infrastructure were already clear from the beginning when the airport package was adopted. When the international airport in the north and the one in the south are ready, there will be a completely different regularity on the routes around the country. Just as one can develop the tourism products that best suit the local destinations. 

However, he emphasizes that it is also important to look even more closely at the need for service and comfort.

– Travelers today have higher expectations for service and comfort than 30 and 50 years ago. It is not enough to get from A to B when traveling. But they also want good experiences and a high level of service when traveling, points out Helge Tang.