This follows the planned downgrade from tower to AFIS at the airport between Aug-Oct, driven by reduced traffic as BGGH\/Nuuk expands. All controlled airspace will become Class G, with a radio mandatory zone within 20\u202fNM below 7000ft, and FISCOM available via Nuuk FIC after hours.<\/p>\n
RWY 27 is typically used for departures and RWY 09 for arrivals – be especially careful of opposite direction traffic. AIC 01\/25<\/a> has more info.<\/p>\n The extensively expanded BGGH\/Nuuk <\/strong>is now open, and receiving regular jet traffic.<\/p>\n With an operating length of 7218′ (2200m) and ILS approaches available for both runway ends, it is now a solid choice for NAT enroute alternates (and ETOPS\/EDTO if that’s your thing). The Greenland AIP has been updated, and you can find the current airport chart here<\/a>. Both runway and apron PCNs are 67\/F\/A\/W\/T\u00a0<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The revitalised Nuuk is a whole new ball game for NAT crossings.<\/p><\/div>\n The airport has an AFIS<\/strong> on watch Monday to Saturday, 09:00 – 18:00 LT (11:00 – 20:00z) with RFF Category 5.<\/p>\n For handling, contact Greenland Airports<\/strong>: nuuk@mit.gl<\/a><\/p>\n Each day thousands of aircraft routinely cross the NAT and use airports in Greenland as enroute\/ETOPS alternates – mainly BGSF\/Sondrestrom and BGBW\/Narsarsuaq.<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s big business for Greenland\u2019s major airports, but over the next few years major changes are coming<\/strong> that will directly impact on the operational use of these airports as NAT alternates.<\/p>\n Here’s the lowdown on what’s changing:<\/strong><\/p>\n Before we get stuck into the finer points of what’s changing at each airport, a big question many will have is: “What airports can I use as enroute\/ETOPS alternates?”<\/strong><\/p>\n Answering that is tricky, because it will depend on a number of factors that will be different for each operator – if the airport has a long enough runway for your particular aircraft \/ the necessary facilities and services \/ the minimum approach procedure \/ fire cover \/ weather minima etc.<\/p>\n But here’s a quick reference table showing what’s changing, and when, which might<\/em> be helpful:<\/p>\n Nuuk\u2019s found on the western edge of Southern Greenland, close to the NAT HLA. It\u2019s Greenland\u2019s capital city but until now, the airport has not been \u2018capital-sized\u2019.<\/p>\n Hence why larger aircraft have not considered BGGH\/Nuuk as a viable alternate due to its short runway length (3,050\u2019\/930m) in addition to poor weather and the mountainous terrain<\/strong> that surrounds it.<\/p>\n But things will soon get easier. A major expansion<\/a> has been underway since 2019 to replace its aging runway and improve the airport infrastructure to accommodate the wide body airliners of the territory\u2019s flagship carrier who are relocating their hub there.<\/p>\n 28 Nov 2024<\/strong>\u00a0has been earmarked as its full re-opening – just weeks away. A new runway will now measure 7,200\u2019\/2200m.<\/strong> Better yet, ILS approaches will be operating at both ends with much lower minimas. A new terminal building, tower and apron are already in use.<\/p>\n The brand new runway at Nuuk will become operational on Nov 28.<\/p><\/div>\n If you have any doubts as to Nuuk\u2019s viability as a well-equipped NAT alternate, it may be reassuring \u00a0to hear that at least one US legacy carrier<\/strong> will also commence scheduled services<\/a> to the improved airport from Newark twice a week from mid-next year.<\/p>\n Keep an eye out for an upcoming OPSGROUP briefing on the new and improved Nuuk soon.<\/p>\n A new airport<\/a> will be opening in Spring 2026, 35nm away from Narsarsuaq<\/strong> on Greenland\u2019s southern tip.<\/p>\n Right now Qaqortoq is a heliport (operating under a different ICAO code), but will re-open with a 4,921\u2019\/1500m runway<\/strong> due to a decision by Greenland\u2019s government a few years back to convert it for fixed wing traffic.<\/p>\n At that length Qaqortoq will likely only be an option for small to medium<\/strong> sized jets<\/strong>, but there is also room for future expansion to 5,905\u2019\/1800m \u2013 so watch this space in years to come. Word on the street is that it will also be equipped with both LOC and RNP approaches.<\/p>\n A new international airport in Qaqortoq will replace Narsarsuaq in 2026.<\/p><\/div>\n A new international airport<\/strong> is under construction<\/a> which will be equipped with a 7,217’\/2200m runway.<\/strong> It\u2019s scheduled to open in Fall 2026 and will replace the existing domestic airport. By in large, it will be equipped with the same equipment as the upgraded airport in Nuuk.<\/p>\n A new international airport is coming in Ilulissat<\/p><\/div>\n Next up, a look at what’s happening at the existing airports BGSF\/Sondrestrom and BGBW\/Narsarsuaq…<\/p>\n The much-improved airport in Nuuk will undoubtedly take a heavy toll on traffic levels at Sondrestrom<\/strong> \u2013 in the vicinity of a 90% reduction.<\/p>\n But all is not lost for BGSF as a solid NAT alternate – it will continue to operate, with almost full services available<\/strong> with one notable exception \u2013 ATS will be downgraded to an AFIS sometime between Aug – Oct 2025.<\/strong><\/p>\n The runway (9,186\u2019\/2800m)<\/strong> is longer than Nuuk, and the weather much more predictable – it should remain a solid option to consider.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n The airport is scheduled<\/a> to close in 2026!<\/strong> \ud83d\ude31<\/p>\n Despite its geographical convenience to NAT traffic, it remains a difficult option<\/strong>. For some, it is considered only in the case of extreme circumstances (such as fire).<\/p>\n The reason for this is predominantly weather,\u00a0and the non-precision approaches<\/strong> that serve the airport. The runway itself is also short at only 5,905\u2019\/1800m.<\/strong><\/p>\n Narsarsuaq will remain a challenging option until its closure in 2026.<\/p><\/div>\n\u26a1 June 2025 Update<\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ops.group\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Nuuk-1024x614.webp\")
Original Article<\/strong><\/h6>\n
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ops.group\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Greenland-NAT-Alternates-2025-1024x640.jpg\")
<\/p>\nETOPS Airports…<\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ops.group\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Greenland-etops-airports-1024x301.jpg\")
<\/p>\nBGGH\/Nuuk<\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ops.group\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Nuuk-1024x685.png\")
BGQO\/Qaqortoq<\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ops.group\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/qaq-1024x725.jpg\")
BGJN\/Ilulissat<\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ops.group\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/ILU-1024x584.jpg\")
BGSF\/Sondrestrom<\/h4>\n
BGBW\/Narsarsuaq<\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ops.group\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/NAR-1024x683.jpeg\")
Reminder \u2013 Look out for Surprise Fees<\/strong><\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ops.group\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/fire.jpeg\")