Avannaata Kommunia and Greenland Airports disagree about water bills

On January 2, a fire broke out in a workers' camp near the airport construction site in Ilulissat. No one was injured, yet the incident has had a political aftermath with potentially major implications.

The fire reveals a fundamental problem ahead of Ilulissat's future Atlantic airport, says the mayor of Avannaata Kommunia:

– It is completely unacceptable and irresponsible to open a new airport if you cannot ensure effective and continuous firefighting in the event of a fire, warns Lars Erik Gabrielsen (S).

The problem, according to the municipality, is that the water supply in the area is insufficient. The water in the current reservoir is quickly being depleted, so the fire department has to rush into the city for more.

It's not possible, concludes Lars Erik Gabrielsen, considering what could happen at the future Atlantic airport with larger planes, more people and more fuel present.

– A modern airport facility cannot be based on temporary solutions where firefighting depends on water transport from the city, says the mayor, who believes that a failure has occurred.

Greenland Police have informed Sermitsiaq that a lack of water made it impossible to extinguish the fire on site, and instead a controlled burndown took place.

The case raises the question of whose responsibility it is to ensure that there are sufficient amounts of water for firefighting in the area. Is it the municipality or Greenland Airports?

Greenland Airports: The municipality is responsible

At Greenland Airports, they are surprised by the mayor's statement in light of the fire in the craftsman's camp.

– It is important to establish that emergency response responsibility outside the airport area – including water supply and infrastructure – is a municipal responsibility, emphasizes Greenland Airports in its written response with several references to the Greenland Emergency Response Act.

– Greenland Airports is responsible for the safety and preparedness of flights on the airport grounds, and we take this responsibility very seriously. On our grounds, the necessary procedures and resources for firefighting in connection with aircraft accidents at the airport have been established, in accordance with applicable regulations and international standards.

Greenland Airports also states that the company's employees participated in the firefighting efforts in the artisan camp and contributed with quick and efficient assistance.

– It is therefore misleading to portray the incident as a failure on the part of Greenland Airports. We are responsible for the emergency response at the airport, and here we follow the international standards for safety and emergency response. Any challenges with water supply outside the airport area fall under the municipality's area of responsibility, writes Greenland Airports.

Municipality: Airport has legal significance

Sermitsiaq has contacted Avannaata Kommunia to inquire further and received a response from municipal director Nick Nielsen. He expresses the same position as his mayor.

– We have invested massively to meet the requirements for the new airport, but we do not believe that the water reservoir is sustainable as it is now, says the municipal director.

But it is probably true, as Greenland Airports emphasizes, that emergency preparedness and firefighting are a municipal task?

– Yes, but we believe that establishing a renewable water supply for the airport is Greenland Airports’ responsibility. This is stated in the framework law for the new airports, says Nick Nielsen.

The law in question states that the company behind the airport is not only responsible for constructing, building and operating airports, but is also responsible for “related activities, facilities and buildings”.

It is therefore the opinion of Avannaata Kommunia that new and better water facilities for a new and larger airport fall under this category of related matters for which Greenland Airports can be held responsible.

Here, Sermitsiaq would like to bring a comment from Naalakkersuisut. It would be interesting to hear, among other things, an interpretation of the legal responsibility for the water conditions in Ilulissat.

It has not been possible to get a comment so far despite several inquiries to the relevant departments. However, we expect to follow up on the matter.