The opening of the new Qaqortoq Airport also means farewell to Narsarsuaq as an airport for fixed-wing aircraft and as a traffic center in South Greenland for decades.
For decades, the settlement and its residents have lived off and with the airport, which the Americans built during World War II and gave away for civilian purposes in 1958.
Therefore, Wednesday was both a sad and solemn day in the airport settlement, where the new times were marked with speeches, coffee and tears after a crowd of people had met the passengers on the apron. Both speakers and the audience were clearly moved.
Naalakkersuisoq: Narsarsuaq is its own
The first speaker was the new Naalakkersuisoq for Housing and Infrastructure, Iddimanngiiu Jensen Bianco (IA).
- The opening of Qaqortoq Airport should not be the end for Narsarsuaq. Qaqortoq's airport is the result of infrastructure reform. Narsarsuaq is its own, having developed over decades with the airport in the center.
- Even though the place is now being downgraded to a heliport, the story of Narsarsuaq will continue. I am pleased that the transition from Narsarsuaq to Qaqortoq Airport has gone well, said Iddimanngiiu Jensen Bianco.
Mayor: We are still investigating the possibilities for Narsarsuaq
The mayor of Kujalleq Municipality, Malene Vahl Rasmussen (D), was next. She warned in advance that she might shed a tear along the way.
- A new door opens, but it also means that a door closes. Even though the history of Narsarsuaq is changing, we in the municipality still have duties to work for Narsarsuaq. There are still uncertainties about how Narsarsuaq can continue to be developed, and citizens should know that we are continuing to work to investigate the possibilities.
Not the same, but something different
Naja Lund spoke for locals from Narsarsuaq. Air Greenland was represented by both the chairman and director, and for Greenland Airports, director Jens Lauridsen spoke.
– There is no doubt that it is a day of sorrow. That is how it is – some decisions have been made.
– But there is a future, here too. I have no doubt that Narsarsuaq will still be here in many years. It will not be the same hub, but it will be something different, said Jens Lauridsen.
He also pointed out that the settlement is still accessible by helicopter.
Shortly after the speeches, it was time for Air Greenland's last flight from Narsarsuaq. The crowd of people gathered outside again, where the sirens of the rescue vehicles traditionally followed the last Dash-8 on its way to the runway at around 4:35 p.m.
The crowd took pictures, but was otherwise quite quiet, as the red plane headed for the clouds. And that was the last flight in Narsarsuaq.
