MAYOR OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF QEQERTALIK
Qeqertarsuaq is far too difficult to get to, but should be developed in terms of tourism, believes the mayor of the municipality. Due to the country’s economic situation, it is recommended that the city only have a helipad and not a runway for fixed-wing aircraft.
– Qeqertarsuaq should have an airport. We will develop by following the business areas that have the best opportunities. Qeqertarsuaq is our future in tourism, writes the mayor of Municipality Qeqertalik, Simigaq Heilmann (D), on his Facebook page.
Qeqertarsuaq does not have an airport for flights. If you have to reach the city by air, it is done by helicopter. This often leads to delays and many cancellations.
The town can be easily reached by ship or boat in the summer. From autumn to spring, the city can only be reached by helicopter. It is assessed as unsatisfactory by the municipality’s top manager.
– The citizens of Qeqertarsuaq are currently experiencing major challenges in connection with travel and transport, and the same applies to the tourist operators. Due to the lack of connection to the mainland, the decisive importance of the weather and the sea affects daily life, business and public services.
– An airport will create a better and more stable infrastructure, make it easier for citizens to travel, give traders better opportunities in their trade and make the supply more secure, writes the mayor.
A city that is not used enough
She hopes that the town can be developed commercially. The mayor believes that the city is still not being utilized sufficiently.
– A unique nature, cultural and historical values as well as scientific areas of interest make Qeqertarsuaq a particularly attractive destination for tourists from all over the world. However, accessibility sets limits to development. A modern airport will open up new opportunities, she writes.
Not recommended
The mayor’s wish can immediately be assessed positively. But the economic unprofitability has long been known. It appears from a report published by the Department of Infrastructure in 2020 that Qeqertarsuaq cannot get a 650-metre-long runway for fixed-wing aircraft, and that a 799-metre-long runway is also not recommended for financial reasons, even if it can be built.
The report also concludes that a runway for fixed-wing aircraft in Qeqertarsuaq will not provide financial balance on an annual basis. If a runway were built for fixed-wing aircraft, it is calculated that it will result in an annual deficit of between DKK 2.4 million and DKK 3.8 million. The report also recommends that the city continue to only have a helipad.
