Astronomic increase in passengers drives hotel investment in Nuuk

By Elías Thorsson September 10, 2025
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The first direct scheduled flight from Newark in the U.S. to Nuuk prepares to land at the airport in Nuuk, Greenland, June 14, 2025. Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix/via REUTERS

Nuuk is bracing for a surge of new hotels as international access reshapes travel to Greenland’s capital. The catalyst is a dramatic jump in demand: 53,094 international passengers flew from Nuuk in January–July 2025, up from just 3,385 a year earlier. That surge has strained bed capacity during peak periods and pushed municipal planners to prepare an additional hotel area near Qinngorput/Store Malene that will go to public hearing.

According to Sermitsiaq, up to four hotels could cluster around the new international airport, with Hotel Hans Egede Group first in line for an airport hotel of about 120 rooms. Other plot winners — including Air Greenland, TNT Nuuk, Capital Estate Development and the owner of Hotel Aurora — are advancing plans.

Nuuk’s building wave fits a broader trend across Greenland as direct flights make the Arctic more accessible. United Airlines has confirmed it will continue its Newark–Nuuk service in 2026 after a strong inaugural season.