SAS cancels Copenhagen-Nuuk route after one season

Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has abandoned its direct summer route between Copenhagen and Nuuk after just a single season, citing high fuel costs and weak demand, according to a report by Check-in.dk via Ritzau.

The airline launched the route in 2025, framing it as a response to “growing demand for adventurous travel experiences,” as stated by SAS CEO Anko van der Werff at the time. However, the decision to suspend the service for the remainder of the year marks an abrupt reversal.

Tourism researcher Carina Ren of Aalborg University called the move surprising given the short timeframe but noted that rising global energy prices likely undermined the route’s profitability. “If we look at fuel costs and other factors, it’s not unexpected that the calculations may no longer add up,” she said.

Operational challenges at Nuuk Airport may have also played a role. Greenland’s Civil Aviation Administration suspended security screening for outbound passengers in August 2025 after staff training failed to meet requirements. Shortly afterward, new restrictions were imposed due to unanticipated traffic volumes, limiting hourly arrivals and departures.

“These issues could have eroded confidence in the airport’s ability to handle flights reliably,” Ren added.

Despite the setback, Greenland’s tourism figures showed growth in 2025, with international visitors rising from 27,671 in 2024 to 40,486. Overnight stays by Danish travelers remained steady at around 40,000. Ren emphasized that the route’s cancellation contradicts expectations of sustained or increasing demand.

The withdrawal leaves Air Greenland as the sole carrier on the Copenhagen-Nuuk route during peak summer months—a critical period for the airline’s revenue, which offsets losses during slower seasons.

“For Greenland as a whole, this is regrettable,” Ren said. “The expansion of Nuuk Airport and the upcoming Ilulissat Airport was meant to boost tourism and connectivity. Seeing this step backward, even temporarily, is a setback.”

SAS has not yet responded to requests for comment.