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Airport and new route inaugurated - a big day for the city, says airport manager

Sermitsiaq reports from today's airport opening in Qaqortoq in this liveblog.

The first scheduled flight is on its way to take off from Qaqortoq Airport on Thursday morning.
Morten Okkels
Morten Okkels Morten Okkels Morten Okkels Journalist
Oscar Scott Carl
Oscar Scott Carl Fotojournalist
KASSAALUK KRISTENSEN
KASSAALUK KRISTENSEN Digitalredaktør
Thomas Munk Veirum
Thomas Munk Veirum Journalist
Published

  • Airport manager in Qaqortoq: Big day for the city

    It's a big day for many in South Greenland right now, and that applies not least to Bo Olsen.

    He is the airport manager in Qaqortoq and was hired last year.

    – I have previously helped open the airport in Sisimiut, and for me as the airport manager it is very meaningful to be here in Qaqortoq together with a strong team that has worked purposefully towards the opening, says Bo Olsen.

    He adds:

    – It's also a good day because the stress is over. Many have asked if it would have been possible on time. Now we have reached the goal of opening, and then it is about everyday life and looking at how we can become even better here at the airport.

    Bo Olsen greets some of the citizens present at the inauguration of Qaqortoq Airport.

  • Happy citizens: Easier routes are good

    Kirsten Nielsen has lived in Qaqortoq for 70 years and is extremely happy that the airport is finally opening in the city.

    - It means a lot. Now you can fly from Nuuk to Qaqortoq instead of having to spend the night in Narsarsuaq. I am looking forward to flying via Iceland and to the warm countries, she says.

    Kirsten Nielsen has lived in Qaqortoq for 70 years.

    A proud and moved Sofus Davidsen watched the plane land from the mountain next to the airport:

    - My son is Marshall and is receiving the plane today. I am very proud of him.

    Sofus Davidsen is a proud father.

  • Air Greenland gives a gift: Fountain symbolizes gathering place

    Air Greenland gives a fountain to the airport as an opening gift. The fountain from 1932 is a landmark for Qaqortoq, and now the airport has its own small model with water inside.

    The symbolism of the fountain lies in the fact that the airport will become a gathering point, just as the fountain is for the city.

    This is what Air Greenland's Head of Sustainability and Communications Inga Dora G. Markussen and Commercial Director Chris Shern said at the presentation.

    Anda Peter Egede made the small fountain.

    Air Greenland's gift to the new airport.
    The small fountain is handed over to the airport.

  • First scheduled flight has taken off

    At 10:39, the first scheduled flight took off from Qaqortoq Airport, and thus both the airport and Air Greenland's new Qaqortoq-Nuuk route were inaugurated.

    The first scheduled flight is on its way to take off from Qaqortoq Airport on Thursday morning.

  • Party at the airport

    There was a special Thursday morning at the new airport with dancing, choir singing and cheers.

    Airport inaugurated with dancing and singing.
    Opening of Qaqortoq Airport.
    A choir was part of the inauguration.

  • First flight out of Qaqortoq is being prepared

    Around 10 a.m., boarding of the first scheduled flight out of Qaqortoq Airport began.

    The plane is scheduled to take off around 10:30 a.m., and at 10:20 the last passengers will board the plane.

  • Jens-Frederik Nielsen: Now we can more easily show the beautiful nature of South Greenland

    The Chairman of the Government of Greenland Jens-Frederik Nielsen (D) has given a speech:

    - The work on an airport for larger aircraft in Qaqortoq has been a long time in the making. The opening shows that patience, persistence and cooperation yield good results, says the Chairman of the Government of Greenland and continues:

    - The airport can help create development in South Greenland. It creates a better network and better infrastructure throughout the region. With the opening of the airport, we show the younger generation that there are more educational and professional opportunities in South Greenland, says Jens-Frederik Nielsen.

    He emphasizes the opportunities the new airport provides:

    - Now we can much more easily show tourists the beautiful nature that South Greenland has.

    - Now it is your opportunity to further develop your municipality. The airport provides more opportunities that will benefit South Greenland.

    Jens-Frederik Nielsen on the podium during the inauguration.

  • Airport officially opened

    11-year-old Sulunnguaq Raaschou cut the red ribbon at the new Qaqortoq Airport at 09:40.

    The boy completed the task from his wheelchair, and with Mayor Malene Vahl Rasmussen and municipal politician Simon Simonsen at his side.

    Mayor Malene Vahl Rasmussen with Sulunnguaq Raaschou, who presided over the official opening.
    The airport is inaugurated.

  • Politicians are welcomed with hugs

    The Chairman of Naalakkersuisut, Jens-Frederik Nielsen (D), and the Chairman of Inatsisartut, Kim Kielsen (independent), have now arrived at the new airport.

    They were both on the first scheduled flight to Qaqortoq.

    Kim Kielsen and Jens-Frederik Nielsen are welcomed with hugs at the new airport.

  • First plane lands in Qaqortoq

    The first plane passengers have now landed in Qaqortoq to great excitement. The new airport will also be celebrated in the city later on Thursday.

    Passengers, employees and guests shout hurrah and wave flags in the arrivals hall: The first official plane has just landed at the new airport in Qaqortoq.

    It was 09.03 when Air Greenland's Dash-8 from Nuuk put its wheels on South Greenland's new 1,500-meter runway.

    The plane is carrying both official representatives and ordinary citizens, and the landing marks a new chapter for Qaqortoq, South Greenland and Greenlandic aviation history.

    The morning program at the airport will continue with a lamp lighting ceremony, official speeches and gift giving. Air Greenland is bringing a gift.

    Citizens receive the first plane at the new Qaqortoq Airport.
    Qaqortoq Airport, the first plane has landed.

  • The fire department is also ready for the opening

    The Qaqortoq fire department is also present at today's airport opening. They are ready in case of an accident.

    The fire department is represented and ready for the opening of the new airport.

  • Excitement is rising - the first plane is on its way

    Enthusiasm is spreading in the new arrivals hall in Qaqortoq, where employees and citizens will soon welcome the first plane.

    The children have started waving their flags, and Greenland Airports is giving out a piece of bread while the airport staff is getting the last bits ready.

    The plane from Nuuk is in the air and is carrying several representatives of politics and business as well as ordinary citizens.

    We expect that the Chairman of the Greenland Government, Jens-Frederik Nielsen (D), will give a speech after arrival. We will also hear from Mayor Malene Vahl Rasmussen (D), from Greenland Airports and from Air Greenland, who has a gift with them.

    In addition to the celebrations at the airport, a coffee break is planned inside Qaqortoq town and dinner tonight for registered guests.

  • Historical: First passengers checked in

    Laila Kuitse and her husband Palo Kuitse live in Qaqortoq and are the first to check in at the new airport in Qaqortoq:

    - Now, it feels great. It's new and we've been waiting for over 40 years, says Laila Kuitse.

    - It is a very special day for us and all of South Greenland, adds Palo Kuitse.

    First check-in at the new airport.

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