Air Greenland to modify two DHC-8-Q200s for defence tasks

 Air Greenland (GL, Nuuk) has selected PAL Aerospace (SPR, St. John's) to modify two DHC-8-Q200s for military operations under the Maritime Domain Awareness programme of the United Nations' International Maritime Organization.

The contract covers aircraft modification, configuration, integration, and associated support activities throughout the turboprops' service life, including training, technical support, software support, future upgrades, supply chain support, and scheduled maintenance, PAL Aerospace said in a statement.

Jacob Nitter Sørensen, chief executive officer of Air Greenland, said: “Together, we are establishing a modern capability that will be operated from Greenland, while developing local competencies and creating long-term value for Greenland and the Arctic.”

The carrier's fleet comprises one A330-800N, eight DHC-8-Q200s, one Hawker 800XP(2), and one Hawker 800XP(R), together with one wet-leased B737-800.

CH Aviation / Air Greenland

ROUTES - Air Greenland will launch a new service between Ilulissat and Copenhagen on October 29

Air Greenland will launch a new service between Ilulissat and Copenhagen on October 29, coinciding with the inauguration of Greenland Airports' new airport in Ilulissat. The inaugural flight will be operated by the company's Airbus A330-800 aircraft. The route will then be operated by Jettime with a Boeing 737-800NG until Air Greenland receives an A320neo in the spring of 2027.

Photo: Air Greenland

FLEET - Air Greenland to expand with A320neo

Air Greenland has announced it is set to expand its fleet with a single Airbus A320neo. The airline has signed a lease-agreement with Carlyle and the aircraft is planned for delivery in December 2026. Entry into commercial service is set to follow in early 2027.

The delivery is just in time to make use of the new airport at Ilulissat that is set to open in late 2026. From there, Air Greenland will use its new A320neo to fly to Copenhagen.

The current fleet of the airline consists of a single A330-800 and eight DHC-8-200s.

Illustration by Air Greeland.

 

FLEET - Air Greenland seeks A320neo for Ilulissat operations

Air Greenland (GL, Nuuk) is looking to obtain an A320-200N in late 2026 in time for the opening of the new Ilulissat airport, chief executive Jacob Nitter Sørensen said.

In an interview with Aviation Week, he said that the company had reached a level where it made sense to add another jet aircraft following a recent fleet renewal that included the incorporation of an A330-800N and one DHC-8-Q200 in 2022 and 2023, respectively, and bringing in wet leases to consolidate its route network.

“That’s the game plan, to keep building up new routes based on ACMI. And then, when it reaches sort of a sustainable level, we add another aircraft,” he said. “So we are looking at adding an A320neo, which can be flown mixed-rating [by the A330neo pilots].”

The A320neo will give Air Greenland flexibility to switch between widebody and narrowbody in its schedule, Nitter Sørensen explained.

The ch-aviation fleets module shows that Air Greenland’s fleet comprises ten aircraft - one A330-800N, one DHC-8-200, seven DHC-8-Q200s, and one Hawker 800XP(2). It also operates several helicopters.

However, the company cannot at the moment renew its Dash 8 fleet. This type “is the only aircraft that can operate in and out of these runways, unless you are looking at much smaller aircraft, which don’t have the range and the all-weather capabilities that we need. So right now there is no replacement aircraft for the Dash 8 because ATR - Avions de Transport Régional, they decided to cancel the ATR42-600 STOL model. So right now there is no replacement possible,” the chief executive said.

Air Greenland was not immediately available for further comment.

Finally, in terms of partnerships, Air Greenland said that the company is expanding its collaboration with Icelandair and working to establish new partnerships with United Airlines and SAS Scandinavian Airlines.

CH Aviation

Photo: Air Greenland

 

Air Greenland retires A330-200, moves to A330neo ops

Air Greenland (GL, Nuuk) retired its only A330-200 on February 16, 2023, paving the way for its sole A330-800 to run its trunk service to Copenhagen Kastrup.

OY-GRN (msn 230) operated its last Copenhagen-Kangerlussuaq-Copenhagen rotation on February 16, and remains parked at the Danish airport, Flightradar24 ADS-B data shows. The aircraft had been the flagship of Air Greenland's fleet since 2002 when the airline added it from Sabena. At that time, it complemented and eventually replaced the carrier's only B757-200.

"Norsaq [as the A330-200 was known] has been a truly fantastic aircraft for Air Greenland and for Greenland. Loved by both crews and passengers, Norsaq will be missed, but the memory of over 20 years of faithful trouble-free service lives on," Chief Executive Jacob Nitter Sørensen said.

Air Greenland took delivery of the -800, OY-GKN (msn 2020), in December 2022 and inducted it into revenue service in mid-December. As of February 17, the new-build Airbus jet is the carrier's only widebody aircraft.

CH Aviation

Air Greenland becomes latest A330neo operator and Flight Hour Services customer

 Toulouse, 07 December 2022 – Air Greenland has taken delivery of an A330-800 widebody aircraft, becoming the latest operator of the type.

The A330neo will replace previous generation aircraft in the company's fleet, reducing operating cost, improving environmental efficiency while offering an unrivalled passenger experience. Air Greenland’s A330neo will comfortably accommodate 305 passengers, featuring 42 Premium class seats and 263 Economy class seats.

Air Greenland has also firmed up an agreement with Airbus on Flight Hour Services (FHS) covering component supply and maintenance services. Based on a circular economy model and carbon footprint reduction the Airbus FHS offers more sustainability throughout the aircraft's life cycle. More than 1,200 aircraft worldwide are currently being contracted under Airbus FHS.

To underline Air Greenland’s sustainability strategy the delivery flight will be powered by a 30 percent blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Air Greenland will first deploy the A330neo between the arctic island and Denmark, adding North American and European routes at a later date.

The A330neo features the award-winning Airspace cabin, providing passengers with a high level of comfort, ambience and design. This includes offering more personal space, larger overhead bins, a new lighting system, and the ability to offer the latest in-flight entertainment systems and full connectivity. As with all Airbus aircraft, the A330neo also features a state-of-the-art cabin air system ensuring a clean and safe environment during the flight.

The A330neo is the new generation version of the popular A330 widebody. Incorporating the latest generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, new wings and a range of aerodynamic innovations, the aircraft offers a 25 percent reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The A330-800 is capable of flying 8 150 nm / 15 094 km non-stop.

At the end of October, the A330 Family had registered a total of over 1,700 firm orders of which 275 are A330neos from 24 customers.

Air Greenland moved forward A330-800 scheduled service to 19 December 2022, initially along with the A330-200 on the Kangerlussuaq – Copenhagen route.

Photo: Airbus
 

Air Greenland’s sole Airbus A330-800neo is nearing completion (A330-841-F-WWCR)

Air Greenland ordered the A330neo to replace its single A330-200 aircraft registered as OY-GRN. The latter is nearly 24 years old now and still serving the Greenlandic people with regular flights to Copenhagen in Denmark from the airline's base at Kangerlussuaq Airport (SFJ) in central-western Greenland.

Toulouse Blagnac - LFBO, France

By: Fabrizio Spicuglia

First A330neo for Air Greenland painted

 On 3 August, the first (and probably only) Airbus A330neo for Air Greenland emerged from the paintshop at Toulouse-Blagnac. The aircraft, an A330-800, is currently registered F-WWCR (msn 2020) and will become OY-GKN. Delivery is expected at the end of this year or early next year.

Air Greenland announced the order for a single A330neo back in December 2020 and will use the new wide-body to replace its current single A330-200 OY-GRN (msn 230), which is almost 24-years old.

The airline mainly deploys its wide body on the route to Copenhagen-Kastrup but it sometimes pops-up at other airports during charter flights.

Photo by Airbus. / Scramble

Air Greenland places Christmas order for an A330neo

 Toulouse, 18 December 2020 – Air Greenland, the flag-carrier for Greenland, is the latest airline to order Airbus’ next generation A330neo widebody aircraft.

The new A330-800 will replace the airline’s ageing Airbus A330-200ceo to secure operations linking the Arctic island with Denmark from end of 2022 onwards and beyond.

Air Greenland’s CEO’s Jacob Nitter Sørensen said: “The A330neo is a fundamental part of Air Greenland’s fleet strategy. The new aircraft will, for years to come, offer travellers to and from Greenland a unique inflight experience while leaving the lowest carbon footprint possible. The A330neo is a perfect fit for the very challenging task of providing safe and efficient all year passenger, cargo and freight services to and from Greenland.”

“We’re pleased to see Air Greenland renew its confidence in the A330 Family and join the growing number of operators who are selecting the A330neo as a logical replacement for their ageing fleets,” said Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer. “To imagine the airline’s distinctive red livery set against the Arctic’s environment provides some Christmas cheer at the end of a year that has been harsh for our entire industry.”

The Airbus A330neo is a true new-generation aircraft, building on features popular for the A330ceo and developed for the latest technology A350. Equipped with a compelling Airspace cabin, the A330neo offers a unique passenger experience with the latest-generation, in-flight entertainment systems and connectivity. Powered by the latest Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, and featuring a new wing with increased span and A350-inspired ‘Sharklets’, the A330neo also provides an unprecedented level of efficiency – with 25% lower fuel-burn per seat than previous-generation competitors. Thanks to its tailored mid-sized capacity and its excellent range versatility, the A330neo is considered the ideal aircraft to support operators in their post-COVID-19 recovery.

White A310 to operate on behalf of Air Greenland from April 29 to May 7

Air Greenland  has announced that, owing to mandatory technical checks, their A330-200 (OY-GRN / MSN 230) will be taken out of service from April 29 to May 7, to be replaced with a White A310-300 (CS-TQV / MSN 494). However, as a result of the A310's reduced capacity, the Greenlandic national carrier will operate an extra flight between Kangerlussuaq (SFJ) and Copenhagen Kastrup (CPH) on May1.

Ch-Aviation

Photo: FPP