When Qaqortoq Airport opens in spring 2026, it will change the regional infrastructure in South Greenland. Travel patterns and connections will be reorganized, creating new conditions for both citizens and tourism. A new analysis from Innovation South Greenland shows that the region is facing growth in tourism, but also a need for more beds and more places to eat.
Air Greenland and Icelandair have already announced new routes to Qaqortoq from summer 2026. During the high season, Air Greenland will operate up to 17 weekly flights to/from Nuuk, while Icelandair will fly four times a week to/from Keflavik. This will result in a total potential increase in flight capacity of approximately 15.9%, thereby enabling more visitors to the region.
Experience from Narsarsuaq shows that around 70% of airline passengers are tourists. If the same pattern repeats itself, Qaqortoq can expect a clear increase in the number of overnight visitors from the very first season.
Lack of accommodation in all scenarios
The analysis shows that Qaqortoq currently has 143 rooms, but almost half of these have limited access for tourists, e.g., folk high school stays or vacation homes.
If tourism growth continues, the town will be short of between 30 and 60 accommodation options by 2031, depending on the pace of growth. To avoid capacity challenges such as those seen in Nuuk, new investments in hotels, hostels, and other forms of accommodation should be planned.
“We need to roll up our sleeves and make sure we move from talk to action,” says Mayor Malene V. Rasmussen.
ISG Director Miki Jensen points out that this development is both a challenge and an opportunity:
“Qaqortoq will become a natural hub, but the potential lies in the entire region. Now it’s about working together to create more beds, more places to eat, and more experiences across the region.
With the opening of Qaqortoq Airport, new traffic patterns and new opportunities await the whole of South Greenland. To fully exploit the potential, the municipality, the business community, and local actors must work together to create a good framework for tourism, for the benefit of both visitors and citizens.
