Narsarsuaq is facing major changes because the airport is being downgraded to a heliport, the town's hotel is closing and many jobs will disappear in connection with the opening of the new airport in Qaqortoq, which will take place on Thursday.
A citizen, Naja Lund, sent an open letter to Inatsiartut and Naalakkersuisut on Tuesday this week, calling for gratitude from politicians to the people who have faithfully worked and lived in Narsarsuaq.
"Worst nightmare"
For those citizens, the changes are a nightmare, writes Naja Lund:
"The worst nightmare is about to unfold. In front of the eyes of us Narsarsuarmiuttere and many others who have had a relationship with the place in one way or another," writes Naja Lund and continues:
"For us Narsarsuarmiuttere it is like having the rug pulled out from under us, we who always have "home" there, it is our childhood home."
She asks where the thanks from the politicians are?
"Politicians who will probably go to Qaqortoq tomorrow to cheer about the new airport, they only take care of the fun tasks," writes Naaja Lund to Inatsisartut and Naalakkersuisut.
IA politician: It is important to be aware of the citizens
On Thursday, member of Inatsisartut for Inuit Ataqatigiit Paarma Lund Kreutzmann came up with a letter that can be seen as a response to Naja Lund's request.
Paarma Lund Kreutzmann writes, among other things, that she herself grew up in Narsarsuaq, and that her childhood years were characterized by freedom and security. She has followed the citizens of Narsarsuaq for many years, where they were in uncertainty, she writes:
"Uncertainty is unhealthy. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the citizens and show responsiveness so that they are not forgotten," writes the politician, who also assesses that Narsarsuaq still needs to be developed, and not least she offers a thank you:
"On behalf of Inuit Ataqatigiit, I would like to thank the employees who have worked in Narsarsuaq for many years as well as the people who have been involved in the settlement," writes Paarma Lund Kreutzmann.
Downgrading is expected to have a major impact
When it was decided to build an airport in Qaqortoq, it was clear that it would also have consequences for Narsarsuaq.
This became very clear when the Greenlandic Government decided in 2022 that the airport should be closed to aircraft and converted into a heliport upon the opening of Qaqortoq Airport.
At the beginning of 2026, 139 citizens lived in Narsarsuaq, and the settlement has had a stable population for several years.
Previous calculations have estimated that the population of the settlement will drop dramatically if it is downgraded to a heliport.
Another airport settlement, Kangerlussuaq, has also experienced a large number of job losses in connection with the relocation of the majority of Atlantic traffic to the new airport in Nuuk. Around 30 percent of the settlement's residents have moved out over the past year and a half. The consequences for Narsarsuaq are expected to be even greater.
