Greenlandic minister accuses Iceland of controlling air traffic over Greenland

A Greenlandic government minister has claimed that Iceland is directing air traffic over Greenland, calling the situation “unacceptable” in a formal complaint to the Danish transport authority.

Vittus Qujaukitsoq, Greenland’s minister for industry, trade, and foreign affairs, stated that Iceland’s Isavia air navigation service currently manages all flights above 24,500 feet over Greenlandic airspace. In a letter to Denmark’s transport minister, Thomas Danielsen, Qujaukitsoq demanded that control be transferred to Greenlandic authorities.

“The current arrangement is a remnant of colonial-era agreements and does not reflect Greenland’s status as an autonomous nation,” Qujaukitsoq wrote. He argued that Iceland’s oversight conflicts with Greenland’s self-governance and called for immediate negotiations to establish a Greenlandic air traffic control system.

Denmark’s transport ministry has not yet responded publicly. Iceland’s Isavia has previously stated that its role is based on long-standing international aviation agreements.

Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, has gradually assumed control over domestic affairs but still relies on Denmark for defense and certain foreign policy matters.