(Daniel MacIsaac/CBC)
The Air Greenland codeshare agreement signed with Icelandair at the Arctic Circle Assembly this month will improve travel connections between Greenland, North America, and the Faroe Islands, with a particular focus on the Arctic region, the company said in a statement.
The agreement will take effect next summer and was signed in Reykjavik by Air Greenland CEO Jacob Nitter Sørensen and Icelandair CEO Bogi Nils Bogason.
“By joining forces and formalizing our partnerships, we will further strengthen air connectivity in the West Nordic region and in the Arctic, which is an important foundation for future development in this part of the world,” Bogason said.
Passengers will now be able book flights across both airlines on a single ticket, helping to simplify the often complex arrangements flyers have previously been forced to make when travelling between Greenland and North America.
Improving Canadian links to Greenland
Icelandair’s hub at Keflavik Airport in Iceland will be the key transit point and link Greenland to Icelandair’s North American route network.
Keflavik International Airport, near Reykjavik, Iceland, will link Greenland to Icelandair’s North American route network. (Michaela Rehle/Reuters)
This is expected to improve access to Greenland for North American travelers, including Canadians.
The deal will not only improve connections to North America but also strengthen air travel across the Arctic and Nordic regions, the companies said.
Promoting tourism, economic growth
In particular, it will facilitate travel between Greenland, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands, as Icelandair also signed a similar agreement with Atlantic Airways, the Faroese airline, to improve links within the Arctic.
“This agreement is vital both commercially and for our countries, fostering deeper connections and mutual growth,” Atlantic Airways CEO Jóhanna á Bergi said. “Joining Icelandair’s diverse route network offers significant advantages, enabling us to collectively provide better and more flexible services to our passengers.”
The first route under the new partnership will link Billund, Denmark, to Keflavik, and then to Nuuk, Greenland, starting in March 2025.
Frozen shore in Iqaluit., Nunavut. The Air Greenland, Icelandair agreement will help facilitate tourism to the region, the companies’ CEOs say. (Eilis Quinn/Eye on the Arctic)
“With this landmark codeshare agreement, Air Greenland is thrilled to enhance connectivity across the Nordics and the Arctic,” Air Greenland CEO Jacob Nitter Sørensen said.
“By collaborating with Icelandair and Atlantic Airways, we’re bridging our communities and opening new doors for travelers, making it easier than ever to explore the rich cultures and breathtaking landscapes of our northern regions.”
Boosting Nunavut travel
Icelandair CEO Bogi Nils Bogason said the agreement would also foster tourism and economic growth across the North. In particular, he highlighted that the partnership would also promote travel to Arctic Canada, including Nunavut.
The deal will take full effect once Air Greenland completes its certification under international safety standards.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Airlines’ new routes from N.W.T. to Ontario can capitalize on int’l tourism: expert, CBC News
Greenland: New Copenhagen-Kangerlussuaq flight aims to boost Greenland tourism, Eye on the Arctic
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Publish date : 2024-10-23 07:56:00
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