United: Greenland service to resume Saturday after problems at Nuuk airport
United Airlines expects its Greenland flights to resume on Saturday after problems at the territory's main airport led to a handful of flight cancellations across multiple airlines — and stranded dozens of passengers at the Arctic destination.
Nuuk International Airport (GOH) in Greenland's capital city temporarily halted all international flights on Wednesday amid concerns about security personnel training.
News of the disruption prompted United to turn around an aircraft that was headed to Nuuk at the time. That plane landed back at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), a spokesperson for the Chicago-based carrier said, confirming an earlier report from One Mile at a Time.
United ultimately canceled both that northbound flight and a return flight from Nuuk to Newark that had been scheduled for Wednesday.
The suspended service in Nuuk led other carriers, including Scandinavian Airlines, to shutter midweek flights as well — leaving passengers on the ground in Greenland with few departure options.
United: Flights to resume Saturday
By early Wednesday afternoon, things appeared to be getting back on track.
Greenland Airports announced that international departures would resume on Thursday, with extra security personnel from Danish airports.
United on Wednesday afternoon told TPG that the airline planned to move forward with its scheduled Saturday service to Nuuk.
However, the airline does still have a travel waiver covering its Greenland flights in place, allowing customers to reschedule their trip or rebook to Keflavik Airport (KEF) in Iceland.
Passengers who don't rebook on a different flight can claim a refund instead under the U.S. Department of Transportation's flight refund policy.
Passengers stranded
If United's Saturday departure from EWR to GOH does depart as planned, the carrier will ultimately shutter just one full round trip to Greenland since it operates the route twice each week.
Still, with very few flight options to and from Greenland — and no other regular service between the territory and North America — travelers who had planned to return to the U.S. on Wednesday faced limited options for getting home quickly.
The carrier told TPG it's working with passengers currently in Greenland to assist with rebooking on a case-by-case basis.
At best, that may involve a traveler connecting back to the U.S. via Iceland or Europe.
When United launched service to Nuuk in June, it became the first airline to operate regularly scheduled flights between the U.S. and Greenland since Air Greenland's short-lived route in the late 2000s.
Nuuk opened a brand-new terminal and runway last November, setting the stage for the increase in international commercial air service.
For all the fanfare, part of what makes Greenland such an epic destination — and such an innovative new route — is its remoteness.
Earlier this month, Greenland tourism officials told TPG that the increase in tourism this summer proved to be a “learning process,” given the region's limited infrastructure and lodging.
“Of course, there’s things we have to learn. But I think it’s been promising,” Tanny Por, head of international relations at Visit Greenland, told me. “It’s the first time we’ve had any airline come from outside Copenhagen or Iceland, ever, so it’s really a big milestone and a big historical moment.”
This week's disruptions to United's Greenland service came just days after United announced its nonstop service to Greenland would return for a second summer season in 2026.
Its 2025 Nuuk flights are scheduled to run through late September.
Related reading:
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- United Premier status: What it is and how to earn it
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
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- United basic economy: What you need to know about bags, seats, boarding and more
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.