Neerlerit Inaat Airport

Nerlerit Inaat Airport sits on Jameson Land, a peninsula in northeastern Greenland, approximately 40 kilometres east of the town of Ittoqqortoormiit. Built by the United States in 1985 for radar station support, it now serves as the primary air link for one of the most isolated communities on Earth. The airport handles small STOL (short take-off and landing) aircraft and is also home to a permanently stationed Air Greenland AS 350 helicopter. Unlike most airports, there are no jetways, security scanners, or food courts – just a single runway, a small terminal building, and a landscape of tundra and ice that extends in every direction. What makes this airport remarkable is precisely what it lacks: the usual conventions of air travel. Passengers arrive not through check-in counters and boarding gates, but by having their names called before boarding. This is an airport that strips aviation down to its essentials: getting people and goods to and from one of the planet's most remote spots.

Getting There

Ittoqqortoormiit has no road connections to the rest of Greenland. Reaching Nerlerit Inaat Airport means flying from either Reykjavik, Iceland, or from other Greenlandic settlements. From Reykjavik, Air Iceland Connect (now part of Icelandair) operates seasonal flights to Nerlerit Inaat. From elsewhere in Greenland, the only option is a helicopter operated by Air Greenland, which runs flights from Kulusuk or Tasiilaq on the east coast. The helicopter ride from Ittoqqortoormiit to the airport is the reverse of the usual approach: passengers depart from the town helipad and arrive at the airport's helipad adjacent to the runway. The flight takes about 25 minutes over the Scoresby Sund fjord system. Once at the airport, transport to Ittoqqortoormiit is by helicopter, or by boat during the brief summer months when the fjord is ice-free. The boat journey takes approximately 20 minutes from a small dock near the airport – a 20-minute walk from the terminal across the tundra. There is no taxi, no shuttle, no road. Visitors must arrange their transfer in advance with tour operators or the airport's staff. In winter, helicopters are the only option, and flights can be canceled or delayed by weather. Arriving at Nerlerit Inaat often involves waiting for the next helicopter connection; the airport has a small lounge and a gift shop, but no overnight accommodation.

Inside the Terminal

The terminal building is a modest single-storey structure that handles both arrivals and departures. On arrival, passengers walk from the aircraft across the tarmac to the building. There is no jet bridge, no baggage carousel – luggage is offloaded by hand and placed in a small area inside the terminal. The interior consists of a waiting room with basic seating, a counter where staff check passengers in by writing names on a list, and a small gift shop that sells souvenirs, snacks, and local handicrafts. The gift shop is the only retail outlet; there is no café, restaurant, or vending machine. The airport does have toilets and a public phone. The atmosphere is relaxed and informal – staff know passengers by name, and there are no security checks in the conventional sense. Boarding is announced by an employee calling names. There is no boarding pass; passengers simply walk out to the aircraft. The terminal gets busiest on Mondays at 1 pm, Tuesdays at 11 am, Wednesdays at 10 am, and Thursdays at 5 am, coinciding with scheduled flights. Outside these times, the terminal may be empty. The building is heated, but dressing for the Arctic outdoors is essential – the runway and apron are exposed to wind and cold even in summer.

Nerlerit Inaat Airport and the Region

Nerlerit Inaat is more than a transport node; it is the only regular link to Ittoqqortoormiit, one of the most remote permanently inhabited settlements in the world. The town, home to about 400 people, sits on the coast of Scoresby Sund, the world's largest fjord system. This region is a destination for intrepid travelers drawn by its pristine Arctic wilderness, abundant wildlife, and the culture of the Tunumiit people – an Indigenous group whose language and traditions differ from other Greenlandic Inuit. Scoresby Sund offers some of the most dramatic landscapes on Earth: towering icebergs calving from the inland ice cap, steep mountains, and vast valleys. Wildlife includes musk oxen, polar bears, Arctic foxes, seals, and numerous seabirds. In summer, the midnight sun allows 24-hour exploration; in winter, the Northern Lights dance overhead. Tourism is small-scale – a handful of expedition cruise ships visit annually, and guided tours offer dog sledding, snowmobiling, and boat trips. The region's history includes Thule culture sites from over a thousand years ago, and more recent European whaling stations. Greenland's northeast national park, the largest national park in the world, lies nearby but is inaccessible without special permits. For anyone interested in extreme geography, indigenous resilience, or simply the experience of being in a place where human presence feels fragile, this corner of Greenland is unique. Nerlerit Inaat Airport, despite its minimal facilities, is the gateway to that experience – not a place to linger, but a starting point for something far more significant.

Practical Information

The airport is not open every day. Operations occur only when flights are scheduled, typically several times a week depending on season. The busiest days are Monday (1 pm), Tuesday (11 am), Wednesday (10 am), and Thursday (5 am). Phone: +299 99 38 50. There is no official website; flight information is handled by Air Greenland and Icelandair. The gift shop is open when flights are operating. No tickets are issued – passengers simply appear and have their names recorded by staff. Payment for flights is handled before arrival. There are no ATMs, no currency exchange, and no Wi-Fi. Bring cash if you plan to buy souvenirs. Dress in layers: even in July, temperatures hover around 5°C with wind chill. The walk to the boat dock (when boats are running) takes about 20 minutes across uneven tundra; appropriate footwear is essential. Helicopter transfers to Ittoqqortoormiit must be booked in advance through Air Greenland or a local tour operator. Most importantly, be prepared for delays. The weather in Northeast Greenland can shut down air operations for days. Pack extra food, water, and emergency supplies in your carry-on. Nerlerit Inaat is an airport that demands self-sufficiency – and rewards it with an experience unlike any other.