TAKING OFF
New island airport to ‘open up the country to the world’ with new international flights for the first time
And the two other airports opening in the country
A NEW international airport is opening next month - and will welcome long-haul flights for the first time.
Greenland has reveals plans for three new airports on the island, which is largest in the world.
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Opening on November 28 is Nuuk Airport, with the small capital city home to 18,000 locals.
Despite being small, most of Greenland is found in Nuuk - this is a quarter of the population - and is where you will find the famous multicoloured houses as well as whale-watching.
The new airport's longer runway and new terminal means airlines in both the US and Europe will be able to operate direct flights for the first time.
Previously, airlines would have to stop in Kangerlussuaq and then change to a smaller aircraft.
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But current flights that will launch include direct flights from Copenhagen, followed by direct New York flights in 2025.
Brits travelling from the UK currently have to fly via Iceland, changing at Reykjavik Keflavik with Icelandair.
This takes around around 14 hours there, and eight hours back.
While direct UK routes are yet to be announced, flights could be as quick as five hours if added by Air Greenland.
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Jens Lauridsen, chief executive of operator Greenland Airports, said the new airport will have a "big impact" on the island.
They added: "A flight from Europe to Nuuk is a little more than four hours.
World's best airport is now in Europe - with cheap flights, record-breaking museums and 317 destinations
"So we're placed right in the middle. There is a very, very big interest from all major carriers in Europe.”
Jens also said they expect to see "a lot of tourism and change".
Locals are excited too.
One told the that they they were going to "open to the world," adding: “It's so exciting that we're going to have the opportunity to travel from here to another country.”
And another said: "l look forward to having a shorter route for Copenhagen, Iceland, or maybe London Heathrow, who knows?"
Nuuk Airport is just one of three new ones opening in Greenland.
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Following the opening of Nuuk, a new airport will open in Ilulissat in 2026.
The town is the most popular tourist destination in Greenland, where many go iceberg spotting.
Also in 2026 will be Qaqortoq Airport, a new airport in Greenland's largest town.
The overall cost of the three airports ix expected to cost around £615million.
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Three new mega airports opening in Europe
1. Warsaw Solidarity Airport, Poland
One of the largest airports opening in Europe is to be Poland's £7billion Warsaw Solidarity Airport.
It will replace the current Warsaw Chopin Airport welcoming up to 65million passengers by 2060.
It hopes to open it's first stage by 2028.
2. New Bodø Airport, Norway
Norway is replacing it's current Bodø Airport with the new £546million New Bodø Airport.
The airport hopes to welcome as many as 2.3million passengers a year.
It aims to open by 2029, and be fully operational by 2030.
3. Luis de Camoes Airport, Portugal
First discussed back in 2008, Lisbon has revealed plans for it's new Luis de Camoes Airport.
The £7billion airport will replace the current Lisbon Airport which has already reached capacity.
It hopes to open by 2034, with the current Lisbon Airport then dismantled.
In the mean time, here are five mega airports opening across Europe in the next decade.
And the world's best airport is now in Europe - here's everything you need to know.
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