Nuuk Airport gives gold to the taxis

"Nuuk Taxi , sullissaqarpugut. Utaqqilaarit. We expedite. One moment.”

If you have heard it sound in the morning when you call for a taxi, there is a good reason. The taxis in Nuuk is busy. One of the drivers at Nuuk Taxi, Inuujuk Petersen, is among them they are busy and arrive early.

"Nuuk Taxi , sullissaqarpugut. Utaqqilaarit. We expedite. One moment.”

If you have heard it sound in the morning when you call for a taxi, there is a good reason. The taxis in Nuuk is busy. One of the drivers at Nuuk Taxi, Inuujuk Petersen, is among them they are busy and arrive early.

- I usually meet around 6, but I also get calls from my colleagues already 4 o'clock, when they have too much to do.

Hear Inuujuk Petersen talk in Podcasti. He shares his experiences with how taxi drivers' everyday lives have changed after the new airport has opened in Nuuk. The podcast is in Greenlandic.

And they are busy. According to the director of Nuuk Taxi, Janus Eigaard, turnover has increased by up against 20 percent compared to last summer. There is more passengers arrived, and the many flight cancellations also mean more trips.

- It's not just people going to and from the airport, but also locals who choose a taxi when the weather is bad. So we are busy, especially in the morning hours, he says.

According to Inuujuk is the drivers different. Some take it easy, while others work long hours days. He's one of those people who make bones. How much he earns, we will return for later.

Trump and the many cancellations

January is usually one quiet month for taxi drivers. But this year it was different. Already in at the beginning of the month, Donald Trump Jr. past, and it could be felt.

- As a driver, I can be grateful that Trump is talking about us, even if his statements can be a bit sharp at times. At least the number of visitors has increased, and thus also our income, says Inuujuk.

But it is not only Trump who has created more traffic. The airport has had many cancellations since opening, both on due to erratic weather and various start-up challenges

- After all, we earn more that, but I also think it's a bit embarrassing when the airport closes so often. The one should be international, says Inuujuk.

Generous customers

Since the start of the year, the drivers have been driving along completely new types of customers. But this summer there were also completely new customers, then Americans from United Airlines in New York arrived on June 14. The taxis were standing ready half an hour before arrival, even though they were busy in town.

- We knew that Americans are good at tipping, Inuujuk says with a smile.

His first two passengers that day, however, were Danes who came from New York.

- Although I treat all my customers the same, I was still a bit disappointed, says Inuujuk and laughing.

Later, however, he got many Americans. And the rumor was true.

- They often ask where very 100 kroner is in dollars, and when I tell it, there are many who just gives double. They say I should just keep the rest. It really is cool Not only for the money, but also because they are so chatty and friendly.

For drivers who not used to tipping at all, it takes some getting used to.

- You can almost feel it humble.

- But they are a lot grateful, especially if you talk to them. If they've enjoyed the trip, that is it is almost certain that tips will fall off, says Inuujuk.

Hans Egede and the Institution

The new customers are not only generous, but also curious. Inuujuk has been surprised by what the tourists would prefer to see in Nuuk.

- Many actually want to would like to see the institution. I don't ask them why, but I guess so is about the Netflix series "Inside the World's Toughest Prisons", says he thoughtfully.

Also Hans The Egede statue is popular.

- Many even ask if Hans Egede was Greenlander when he "discovered" the country, he says. When similar questions arise, it is important to tell the truth.

- I tell what is the real story that I learned at school.

If Inuujuk himself had to decide what he wanted to show in Nuuk, the answer is simple.

– The city centre. I notes that many tourists are surprised by how close the shops are lies.

With more tourists he and his colleagues feel a bit like guides.

- We will be the closest tourist guides, even though we are really just taxi drivers, he says.

DKK 16,000 for one week

The drivers are often the first ones the tourists meet in Nuuk, and with the many foreign customers English has become part of everyday life.

- At the beginning I was not so good. I had to constantly think about what I wanted to say. But now goes it much better, says Inuujuk.

But he got recently a question from a customer, and that's where he discovered he's become very good at speaking English.

- He asked why I have an American-English accent and if I did lived in America. I never have that, says Inuujuk and laughs.

When the tourists flows in, and the locals at the same time get their wages or tax money back, it works strong in the taxi industry.

- I earned 15-16,000 DKK after tax that week.

However, this is not always the case.

- The following week it was completely different. Maybe not even 7,000.

More income = more weight

The increased income has also had another effect on Inuujuk.

- I have taken over 20 kilos in 16 months. I always played sports, but almost stopped completely. Now I'm trying to get back to exercising and going for walks, he says.

He knows well that the number of tourists falls in winter, when several routes take a break.

- I hope so there is still plenty to do, but I think it will be a bit boring, he admits.

Yet he gives not up. Every day he meets at 6 and runs until 18, seven days a week.

- I won't last vacation for the time being. Only when I get my own taxi can I start think about holidays, concludes Inuujuk Petersen.