SAS has reportedly removed all scheduled Copenhagen – Nuuk flights for this summer, making Greenland another apparent casualty of high fuel prices. I was seriously looking forward to trying this route and visiting Greenland this summer, so this one stings…
SAS Appears To Pull Greenland Flights As Fuel Prices Bite
SAS appears to have removed all scheduled flights between Copenhagen (CPH) and Nuuk (GOH) for this summer, abruptly eliminating one of the most interesting new routes in its network.
A schedule watcher noted on X:
“SAS has now removed all scheduled flights between CPH and Nuuk for this summer. The route to Greenland will thus fall victim to the high fuel prices.
All flights between CPH and Istanbul have also been removed in JUN/JUL and will likely be removed for AUG as well.”
I have not seen a formal SAS announcement yet, so I would frame this as a schedule removal rather than a formal cancellation. But if the flights have indeed disappeared from inventory, the practical effect is the same: SAS’ Copenhagen – Nuuk route appears dead for the summer.
That is so disappointing.
SAS launched Copenhagen – Nuuk service in 2025 as Greenland became more accessible with the opening of Nuuk’s new international airport. Copenhagen is the natural European gateway to Greenland and SAS has strong feed via its CPH hub…I figured the route would do well.
I was seriously looking forward to visiting Greenland this summer, and this SAS flight was the option I had my eye on for at least one direction. I liked the idea of flying SAS from Nuuk back to the USA via Copenhagen, experiencing the new airport, and finally visiting a place that has been on my travel bucket list for years.
Now that option appears to have closed…
I may still make the trip on United and Air Greenland, but it would have been an incredible use of my SAS miles. But I certainly wish I had booked earlier…maybe I would have been re-accommodated on Air Greenland.
High Fuel Prices Will Lead To More Route Suspensions
If fuel prices are indeed the reason for the route suspension, this is a reminder that marginal longhaul and midhaul leisure routes are often the first to go when costs rise.
Greenland is fascinating, but it is not London, Paris, or New York. Demand is seasonal and yields may not be strong enough to absorb a sharp rise in fuel. And if SAS has more profitable uses for aircraft elsewhere, a summer Nuuk experiment becomes easier to cut…unfortunately, it makes sense.
The reported removal of Copenhagen – Istanbul flights for June and July is also a shame.
A Shame For Greenland Connectivity
Nuuk’s new airport was supposed to open more direct access to Greenland, and SAS was a natural player in that story.
Air Greenland and Icelandair still provide options, and United has its seasonal Newark – Nuuk service (at least for now), but losing SAS reduces choice from mainland Europe and underscores how difficult it is to sustain service to remote destinations even when demand and curiosity are growing.
I still want to visit Greenland. If anything, this makes me want to go even more.
CONCLUSION
SAS appears to have removed all Copenhagen – Nuuk flights for this summer, with high fuel prices reportedly to blame. The route was one of the most interesting additions in the SAS network and one I was personally looking forward to trying.
Nuuk’s new airport remains a major step forward, but new routes to remote places can be fragile when fuel prices rise and airlines start trimming marginal flying.
I still hope to get to Greenland this summer, but it probably will not be on SAS….
> Read More: SAS Latest Carrier To Add Service To Greenland
image: SAS
You could have come up with a better headline, like “SAS pulls Greenland flights, Nuuking my summer plans”
dammit Chris I was gonna do that
I went on the United flight last summer. Had been to Iceland numerous times and always wanted to go to Greenland. I wasn’t sure UA would renew the flight beyond 2025 so decided to go last July. Nuuk is incredible and I highly recommend a trip. Hopefully you get there soon.
Maybe you will be able to hitch a ride on a U.S. military plane soon…….. if we don’t invade Cuba first.
glad to see this. Too many tourists overwhelming Greenland which doesn’t have the infrastructure or the desire to greatly expand tourism. Ask the Greenlanders.
@Matthew – have you been? I don’t totally agree with your comment. Agree that infrastructure isn’t all there (not that many hotels in Nuuk and the ones that are there are both expensive and not the level you expect for the price in the more developed nations. Also, you may say Greenlanders don’t want the tourism but their government certainly does. The investment in the new airport and ongoing construction around Nuuk is clear evidence of this. BTW, it is possible to visit a place without overwhelming it. I greatly enjoyed by time in Nuuk and the 150 people or so that came on that flight from Newark (and only twice a week) don’t overwhelm the city. Every local I spoke with was very positive about the UA flights and looked forward to more tourism. Nuuk is a long way from Venice or Barcelona when it comes to tourism fatigue.
Why do I see a Three Stooges Curly Gif in my mind?
Nyuk, Nyuk, Nyuk.
United flies it from Newark
As you know, there are currently no direct flights from LAX to GOH. But since UA plans to resume seasonal nonstop flights between EWR and GOH this summer, you can always opt for a stopover in Newark.
Once again, high fuel prices demand it!
Flying the 787 on Air Greenland is the real experience anyway. I did it in 2024 and had to go through SFJ, but the two hours at the airport (and in Kangerlussuaq) were fun. Book Air Greenland in premium to CPH. You won’t regret it