Travelers from Tasiilaq must arm themselves with patience these days. The helicopter is affected by technical problems, and at the same time the changing weather is affecting traffic, according to Air Greenland.
It is not newthat the changeable weather in East Greenland disrupts traffic at this time of year. In addition, the helicopter used for transport between Tasiilaq, the airport in Kulusuk and other settlements has experienced technical problems.
As a result, travelers to and from Tasiilaq have been delayed. Flights scheduled for Saturday were canceled due to bad weather, while the helicopter has developed technical problems, further complicating the operation of the transport.
– It is of course regrettable, says Inga Dóra G. Markussen, director of sustainability and communication at Air Greenland.
Yesterday we flew to Kulusuk where, among other things, a. sent spare parts and freight from Nuuk to Kulusuk. A private helicopter from GreenlandCopter brought the spare parts on to Tasiilaq.
– The helicopter is now being repaired, but it also needs to be tested, and the weather is bad. If the weather improves tomorrow it will be tested so we don’t know yet if it is ready. We’ll probably find out tomorrow, she says.
Sportsmen themselves sailed from Tasiilaq to Kulusuk
When the plane was supposed to fly from Nuuk to Kulusuk yesterday, some of the passengers themselves went from Tasiilaq to Kulusuk. Several of them had to take part in a sports event on the west coast at Easter and therefore had to make sure they got to Kulusuk in time.
Did you not have the opportunity to use other means of transport?
– In previous years, we have collaborated with GreenlandCopter as backup when our own helicopter has been out of service. We must also remember that safety is very important.
– We must first make sure that they meet some safety authority requirements. This investigation has been carried out, but we are still awaiting its results, says Inga Dóra G. Markussen.
As some of the travelers from Tasiilaq sailed to Kulusuk, it has been investigated how the conditions for sailing are and whether there are passenger approved boats available. However, it turned out that there was no possibility of sailing. In the meantime, Air Greenland has been informed that the conditions for both sailing and transport by snowmobile on parts of the route have worsened due to large amounts of snow, informs Inga Dóra G. Markussen and adds:
– We announce directly to the customers as soon as we know more about which plans we can implement.
