newstodate.aero

Aug 26, 2019 (newstodate): The future of Kangerlussuaq Airport has again increasingly become a hot topic.
   The airport is not part of the state-owned company Kalaallit Airport A/S, Greenland Airports, that has been established to materialize plans for the new airports infrastructure in Greenland.  
   Greenland's only Transatlantic airport is Kangerlussuaq, Sdr Stromfjord that alone has a runway and infrastructure allowing for handling large aircraft operations.
   This will change as Greenland by the end of 2023  commissions two new airports with Transatlantic capacity at Nuuk and Ilulissat.
   To secure the future of Kangerlussuaq in the longer term will require massive maintenance and reconstruction works on the airport's runway that is impacted by changes in the permafrost conditions.
   However, the renewed focus on the Arctic region amid changing climatic conditions and growing rivalries between the world's leading powers would lead to an increased interest by the USA in preserving, and even strengthening, the capacity of Kangerlussuaq Airport for military purposes.
    The US National Air Guard also operates four Hercules aircraft supplying two stations on the ice cap as well as many training flights for pilots to operate on ice conditions.
   Besides, Kangerlussuaq Airport offering 24/7/360 days' up-time and a 2,810m runway is also serving as an alternative airport in support of Transatlantic ETOPS flight operations.