Chaos at the airport – the director explains himself

The weather forecast the day before promised sun and warmth, when we had to meet the director of one of the most talked about companies in the country, Jens Lauridsen.

But when day came, there was fog and the morning was cold.

The weather forecast the day before promised sun and warmth, when we had to meet the director of one of the most talked about companies in the country, Jens Lauridsen.

But when day came, there was fog and the morning was cold.

That perhaps very reminiscent of the airport we are now going to talk about – namely Nuuks international airport. There were great expectations for an airport there had to set everything in motion. But it has all ended in massive criticism.

- I don't think it's funny, when Greenland Airports, or for that matter myself, get hung up on them social media. I don't think anyone thinks that's funny, says Jens Lauridsen.

Listen to the entire conversation with Jens Lauridsen in Podcasti below. Here he talks, among other things, about the financial assistance of around DKK 1.5 billion for the construction of Ilulissat's airport - and also touches on several of the challenges he is currently facing.

We meet Jens Lauridsen at the aforementioned parking lot. The airport car park, which is further up the mountain.

Here is there supposed to be a paid long-term parking lot. But something payment system does not exist. At least not yet.

- It will come, but we just had a long one a number of other things that we have prioritized higher than getting paid parking installed up.

- It should have been finished before then winter. I don't have a specific date right now. Again, we firmly prioritize: What is the most important thing? And right now there are some things in the terminal that are urgent far more, which we spend far more effort on, says Jens Lauridsen.

The mentioned staircase

Before we reach the terminal, however, there is something second thing we have to pass: the stairs from the car park to the terminal. A family man with three small children and a lot of luggage passes us while we are still standing in the parking lot.

- There is no doubt that it, that it lies in an offset plane, is definitely not optimal. The best would be that the was at the same level as the terminal, but unfortunately that would require us to blow up really, really much mountains away, says Jens Lauridsen.

Travelers therefore have to get used to the stairs. For the parking will not be moved to the empty spaces at the terminal. The rules for international airports prohibit car parking too close to aircraft parking.

About in winter, when there is a lot of snow, the stairs can become extra difficult to manage. But fortunately, there is a roof on the way, so it will be a little easier to get there forth.

- It was one of the things we had to do lower priority last year, in order to prioritize the opening itself.

Now there is political interference

Criticism has long been loud – about everything from parking and stairs to security. Now there is also political pressure. Siumut requires Naalakkersuisut to convene an extraordinary general meeting.

- Siumut is ready to cooperate in order to find solutions. But it requires someone to take responsibility - and it must happen now, says a press release.

What does the director say about that?

- It is the lot of politicians to have one attitude. And if they believe that someone should take responsibility, then they are welcome to to approach, says Jens Lauridsen.

He points out that it is not a simple matter task.

- It is a complex and strictly regulated world in which we work.

But when is enough enough?

- I don't know if you can define one limit. That's when someone says: "Now that's enough!" So I don't think so I am the right one to decide.

Security and One Stop Security

Jens Lauridsen tells us outside the terminal further. When the terminal was put into use last year, leaky facades have resulted buckets on the floor, but that's supposedly fixed now.

- Even though we had a thaw over the spring sometimes, we have not experienced that water has entered. So that challenge is solved, says the director.

One Stop Security is still not in place. This means, among other things, that travelers to Copenhagen will no longer have to go through transit, but instead are taken directly to baggage claim.

- In that we do not have the approval right now, we actually train at that level. So in reality we are creating security same level, we are just not approved for it by the EU. It requires that you have one certain training period and that our people are trained and experienced in doing so here, before we can get the approval, says Jens Lauridsen.

He hopes to receive the approval before the end of the year exit.

Since the opening last year, everyone has to - too domestic passengers – through security. It has taken some getting used to. And lack on staff has led to delays, especially when the control opens too late the morning.

- I think it's deeply embarrassing when it happens, says the director.

11 New ones on the way

When hiring new security people, take the time before they can be included in the roster.

- From the time I employ someone until the person can work in security, it can take one and a half to two months, he says.

But there is something new.

- Right now, while we are recording this, there is 11 on a course which may soon be included in security.

The 11 are going to the exam. And if they pass, the problem is solved.

- Then we should have solved it, but it is on condition that they pass, says Jens Lauridsen with a smile and leaves against security.

Cooperation is essential

Above security, we see travelers who rejoice to leave. Some of them previously affected by delays. The talk falls on the new airports of Ilulissat and Qaqortoq. Can they avoid the same mistake?

- I can't guarantee that there won't be there will be bumps in the road, but I can guarantee that all the bumps we've had in Nuuk, we think into Ilulissat, he says.

A good collaboration with Air Greenland is absolutely crucial. This can be seen, for example, in baggage handling. Greenland Airport's owner the system, while Air Greenland is responsible for the handling itself.

- I think some of what we have learned is, that we are more dependent on each other than we might think about in everyday life.

There is one thing in particular that the director takes with him continue to Ilulissat, where a new airport will be ready in autumn 2026.

- Recruitment has also been one eye opener. It takes time to hire so many people – and even longer, before they have the necessary knowledge and training to be able to carry out the tasks on it level that is needed.