Nuuk Airport (GOH) recently expanded to handle more international flights, including United Airlines (UA) seasonal service from Newark (EWR); however, Danish authorities suddenly suspended international flights due to inadequate security screening training.
This abrupt suspension affects all airlines operating from Nuuk Airport, limiting flights to domestic Greenland routes only. The issue echoes a similar suspension nearly a year ago, raising questions about ongoing compliance challenges.
Photo: By Quintin Soloviev – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=130287916Nuuk Airport Suspends International Flights
Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority enforced the suspension effective August 27, 2025, citing that staff training for screening international travelers fails to meet required standards. Domestic operations retain certification and continue normally.
Greenland Airports actively collaborates with regulators to resolve identified concerns and restore services swiftly.
The timeline for resumption remains uncertain, potentially spanning hours to weeks. According to OMAAT, the authority emphasizes addressing specific deficiencies in security protocols to ensure compliance.
United Airlines (UA) flight from Newark (EWR) to Nuuk (GOH) departed but returned mid-flight upon learning of the suspension.
The airline cited the airport’s temporary ban on international flights, avoiding stranding passengers and crew. United praised transparency in communicating operational disruptions.
Air Greenland (GL) redirects international flights via Kangerlussuaq (SFJ) or Narsarsuaq (UAK), as the issue isolates to Nuuk (GOH). This rerouting minimizes broader network disruptions while authorities investigate.
Greenland Airports attributes the pause to Danish decisions on insufficient training for international passenger screening.
Regulators withhold details due to security confidentiality, but the focus centers on procedural gaps rather than immediate threats.
Recent events, such as security staff absences for deer hunting causing delays, may have prompted scrutiny, though no direct link confirms airport safety. Audits likely revealed non-compliance, mirroring global standards for international aviation.
Photo: Clément AlloingSimilar Incident
Nearly a year ago, Nuuk Airport (GOH) faced an identical revocation of international authorization over security shortcomings.
At that time, newly introduced international flights exposed lapses, including unchecked passport controls on arrivals.
One traveler reported bypassing immigration entirely, highlighting procedural oversights. Whether current problems stem from unresolved past issues or new audits remains unclear, but patterns suggest recurring certification hurdles post-expansion.
Photo: Air Greenland LinkedInFuture Outlook
Greenland Airports prioritizes rapid fixes to regain international status, with potential interim measures like enhanced training programs. Passengers should monitor airline updates for rerouting or cancellations.
This rare suspension underscores the challenges of expanding remote airports to international standards, balancing growth with rigorous security demands.
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