Nuuk Airport gives gold to the taxis

"Nuuk Taxi, sullissaqarpugut. Utaqqilaarit. We expedite. One moment.”

If you've heard that sound in the morning when you call for a taxi, there's a good reason. Taxis in Nuuk are busy. One of the drivers at Nuuk Taxi, Inuujuk Petersen, is among the busy ones and shows up early.

– I usually meet around 6 a.m., but I also get calls from my colleagues as early as 4 p.m. when they have too much to do.

Listen to Inuujuk Petersen tell us in Podcasti. He shares his experiences with how the everyday life of taxi drivers has changed after the new airport opened in Nuuk. The podcast is in Greenlandic.

And they are busy. According to the director of Nuuk Taxi, Janus Eigaard, turnover has increased by up to 20 percent compared to last summer. More passengers have arrived, and the many flight cancellations also mean more trips.

– It's not just people going to and from the airport, but also locals who choose taxis when the weather is bad. So we're busy, especially in the morning hours, he says.

According to Inuujuk, drivers are different. Some take it easy, while others work long days. He is one of those who works hard. We will return to how much he earns later.

Trump and the many cancellations

January is usually a quiet month for taxi drivers. But this year it was different. Already at the beginning of the month, Donald Trump Jr. came by, and it was noticeable.

– As a driver, I can be grateful that Trump is talking about us, even if his statements can be a bit harsh at times. In any case, the number of visitors has increased, and with it our income, says Inuujuk.

But it's not just Trump who has created more traffic. The airport has had many cancellations since opening, both due to unstable weather and various startup challenges.

– We earn more from it, but I also think it's a bit embarrassing when the airport closes so often. It's supposed to be international, says Inuujuk.

Generous customers

Since the start of the year, the drivers have been driving with completely new types of customers. But this summer, completely new customers also arrived, when Americans from United Airlines in New York arrived on June 14. The taxis were ready half an hour before arrival, even though they were busy in the city.

“We knew that Americans are good at tipping,” says Inuujuk with a smile.

His first two passengers that day, however, were Danes who came from New York.

- Even though I treat all my customers equally, I was still a little disappointed, says Inuujuk, laughing.

Later, however, he got many Americans. And the rumor was true.

– They often ask how much 100 kroner is in dollars, and when I tell them, many just give double. They say I should just keep the rest. It’s really cool. Not only for the money, but also because they are so talkative and friendly.

For drivers who are not at all used to tipping, it takes some getting used to.

– You almost feel humble.

- But they are very grateful, especially if you talk to them. If they have enjoyed the trip, it is almost certain that they will leave a tip, says Inuujuk.

Hans Egede and the Institution

The new customers are not only generous, but also curious. Inuujuk has been surprised by what tourists most want to see in Nuuk.

– Many people actually want to see The Institution. I don’t ask them why, but I guess it’s about the Netflix series “Inside the World’s Toughest Prisons,” he says thoughtfully.

The Hans Egede statue is also popular.

– Many even ask whether Hans Egede was Greenlandic when he “discovered” the country, he says. When similar questions come up, it is important to tell the truth.

– I'm telling the real story that I learned in school.

If Inuujuk himself were to decide what he wanted to show in Nuuk, the answer is simple.

– The city center. I notice that many tourists are surprised by how close the shops are.

With more tourists, he and his colleagues feel a bit like guides.

“We almost become tourist guides, even though we are really just taxi drivers,” he says.

16,000 kroner in a week

Drivers are often the first people tourists meet in Nuuk, and with the many foreign customers, English has become part of everyday life.

– At first I wasn't that good. I had to constantly think about what I wanted to say. But now I'm doing much better, says Inuujuk.

But he recently got a question from a customer, and that's when he discovered that he's become really good at speaking English.

– He asked why I have an American-English accent and if I had lived in America. I never have, says Inuujuk and laughs.

When tourists come and locals get their wages or tax money back, the taxi industry is doing well.

– I earned 15-16,000 DKK after tax that week.

However, that is not always the case.

– The week after it was completely different. Maybe not even 7,000.

More income = more weight

The increased income has also had another effect on Inuujuk.

"I've gained over 20 kilos in 16 months. I always did sports, but I almost stopped. Now I'm trying to get back into exercising and going for walks," he says.

He knows that the number of tourists drops in the winter when several routes are closed.

– I hope there is still enough to do, but I think it will be a bit boring, he admits.

Yet he doesn't give up. Every day he meets at 6 am and drives until 6 pm, seven days a week.

– I'm not going on vacation for now. Only when I have my own taxi can I start thinking about vacation, concludes Inuujuk Petersen.