The first direct flight from the Us to Greenland An American airline landed in the capital Nuuk on Saturday evening and will go back on Sunday morning.
The United Airlines companies Boeing 737 Max 8 from Newark International Airport in New Jersey at 11:31 p.m. Edt (1531 GMT) on Saturday and came a little more than four hours later at 6.39 p.m. local time (1939 GMT).The flight tracking website flightsware.
A one-way ticket from Newark to Nuuk cost about $ 1,200. The return flight had a price tag of 1,300 to 1,500 US dollars.
The flight on Saturday marks the first direct passage between the USA and theArctic IslandIn almost 20 years. In 2007, Air Greenland started a route between Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and Kangerlussuaq Airport, around 315 kilometers north of Nuuk. It was scrapped the following year due to costs.
Warren Rieutort-Louis, a 38-year-old passenger from San Francisco, decided to visit Nuuk for just one night to be part of the historical flight.
“I’ve been to Greenland before, but never around. I came around Europe, so it is really amazing to get straight ahead,” said Rieutort-Louis after the plane had landed.
United Airlines’ flight took place on the 79th birthday of US President Donald Trump, who was celebrated in Washington with a controversial military parade that was part of the armyCelebration of the long-term 250th anniversary.
Trump said repeatedlymilitary force excluded.
The governments of Denmark, an ally of NATO and Greenland have saidFor saleAnd condemned reports that the United States gathered the secret services on the mineral -rich island.
United announced the flight and his date in October before Trump was re -elected. It was planned for 2025 to use the new Nuuk Airport, which was opened at the end of November and contains a larger runway for larger jets.
“United will be the only airline that connects the United States directly with Nuuk-the northernmost capital of the world and a goal for world-class hiking and fascinating wild animals under the midnight sun of the summer,” said the company in a statement at that time.
The flight on Saturday started the airline’s twice seasonal seasonal service from June to September between Newark and Nuuk. The plane has around 165 seats.
Previously, travelers had to stay in Iceland or Copenhagen in Denmark before flying to Greenland.
According to Naaja Nathanielsen, the new flight for the business and the inhabitants of the island is an advantage.
Tourists will spend money in local companies, and the border countries themselves will now travel to the USA, Nathanielsen, the Minister for Economics, Mineral Resources, Energy, Justice and Equality of Gender,told Danish broadcaster Dr.The route is also an important part of diversifying the island’s economy, she said. Fishing is created about 90% of Greenland’s exports.
Tourism is becoming increasingly important. In 2023, more than 96,000 international passengers traveled through the country’s airports, compared to 28%compared to 2015.
Jessica Litolff, a 26-year-old passenger from Louisiana, said she also hope that the new route will benefit the USA and Greenland.
“Distance, it’s only four and a half hours, so you can get to Greenland faster by flying than in some parts of the United States,” she said.
Visit Greenland repeated Nathanielsen’s comments. The government’s tourism agency had no projections about how much money the new flights would bring to the island.
“We know that flights can bring in much more than just dollars and we expect it to have a positive effect – both for society and travelers,” Tanny Por told the Associated Press.
Aria Varasteh, a 34-year-old traveler from Washington, wanted to travel to Greenland for a long time.
“I hope that we will receive a warm reception from the locals. Of those I have already spoken to, it seems that they are excited to have us here,” said Varasteh. “And that’s why we are happy to be here and simply be the best versions of ourselves.”
This story was originally on Fortune.com
