Kangerlussuaq Airport, (also known as Sondre Strømfjord in Danish), is an airport in Kangerlussuaq, central-western Greenland. Alongside Narsarsuaq Airport, it is one of only two civilian airports in Greenland large enough to handle jet airliners, including Air Greenland’s only A330. The airport therefore serves as Air Greenland’s international hub. As the airport is located away from the coast, it is less prone to fog and high winds than most other airports in Greenland. However, with only about 500 inhabitants, and with very little else in Kangerlussuaq apart from the airport, it means that most passengers here will be changing planes to travel elsewhere in Greenland.

The airport was originally built in 1941 as a military air base during US occupation, but transatlantic civilian airliners started using the airport as a refuelling stop in the mid 1950s. The airport was eventually handed over to civilian Greenlandic control in 1992.

The runway at Nuuk Airport, Greenland’s capital, is being extended to be able to accept narrowbody jet airliners and also, with the runway at Kangerlussuaq requiring expensive renovation due to the permafrost underneath it starting to melt, the future of Kangerlussuaq Airport is somewhat uncertain.

Kangerlussuaq Airport’s terminal is open for 24 hours a day during the summer, and a restaurant and a seventy room hotel are located within the terminal building.

Written by Clive Grant. Last Update: October 2022.

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Airport Information
Runways
09/27	2,810m (9,219ft)
Terminals	The airport has one passenger terminal serving all traffic.
Spotting Information
Ladder	1-2 steps would be useful for spots
Car/Public Transport	Not necessary, spots are within walking distance of the terminal.
Drinks/Food/Restrooms	Available in the airport terminal.
Hotels	The Hotel Kangerlussuaq is located in the airport terminal but be aware it can get booked up for months in advance. There is also limited simpler accommodation in Kangerlussuaq.
Season	With few daylight hours, temperatures in Greenland are likely to be unbearably cold between November and April, though April is historically the sunniest month. For the combination of daylight hours, sunshine and reasonable temperatures, the best time to visit Kangerlussuaq is probably between May and September, with July having up to twenty hours of daylight.
Runway Usage
09/27	Due to the geographical conditions 09 is used for arrivals whilst 27 is used for departures.

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	Spot #1 – Airport Terminal – Apron and 27 movements
WHERE	Immediately in front of the terminal; use the door to the right of the restaurant to gain access outside.
WHAT	Traffic arriving and departing on Runway 27 and traffic utilising the terminal apron.
TIME	Early mornings and evenings in the summer.
MISC.	Just outside the airport terminal, so all facilities are available there.
FOCAL LENGTH	Dash 8-200: from 65mm (on apron); A330-200: 190mm (on runway)

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	Spot #2 – Perimeter Road – 27 movements and 09 arrivals
WHERE	From Spot #1, walk eastwards along the front of the terminal buildings and around the eastern airport perimeter for about ten to fifteen minutes to the touchdown point of Runway 27.
WHAT	All traffic on Runway 27 and traffic exiting Runway 09 for the terminal apron.
TIME	From mid morning to mid afternoon in the summer.
MISC.	You’ll need to take photos through the mesh of the fence. All facilities are available in the terminal.
FOCAL LENGTH	ATR42: 230mm

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	Spot #3 – Picnic Area – Apron south, all runway  movements
WHERE	From Spot #2, walk westwards for about ten minutes towards the large hangars. Take the path between the second and third hangars to find the picnic and viewing area behind.
WHAT	All traffic on the runway and traffic exiting for the south apron.
TIME	From mid morning to mid afternoon in the summer.
MISC.	You’ll need to take photos through the mesh of the fence. All facilities are available in the terminal.
FOCAL LENGTH	737-400: 300mm

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