Chaos at the airport – the director explains himself

The weather forecast the day before promised sun and warmth, when we were to meet the director of one of the most talked about companies in the country, Jens Lauridsen.

But when the day came, there was fog and the morning was cold.

It may be very reminiscent of the airport we are now going to talk about – namely Nuuk International Airport. There were great expectations for an airport that would set everything in motion. But it has all ended in massive criticism.

– I don't think it's funny when Greenland Airports, or for that matter myself, is being ostracized on social media. I don't think anyone finds that funny, says Jens Lauridsen.

Listen to the entire conversation with Jens Lauridsen in Podcasti below. Here he talks about, among other things, the financial assistance of around 1.5 billion kroner for the construction of Ilulissat airport – and also touches on several of the challenges he is currently facing.

We meet Jens Lauridsen at the mentioned parking lot. The airport parking lot, which is further up the mountain.

There is supposed to be a paid long-term parking lot here. But there is no payment system. At least not yet.

– It's coming, but we've just had a long list of other things that we've prioritized over setting up paid parking.

– It should be finished before winter. I don't have a specific date right now. Again, we are prioritizing very strictly: What is the most important? And right now there are some things in the terminal that are much more urgent, that we are spending much more effort on, says Jens Lauridsen.

The aforementioned staircase

Before we reach the terminal, however, there is something else we have to pass: the stairs from the parking lot to the terminal. A father with three small children and a lot of luggage passes us while we are still standing in the parking lot.

– There is no doubt that the fact that it is located in a staggered plane is definitely not optimal. The best thing would be for it to be at the same level as the terminal, but unfortunately that would require us to blast away a lot of rock, says Jens Lauridsen.

Travelers will have to get used to the stairs. Because the parking will not be moved to the empty spaces at the terminal. The rules for international airports prohibit parking too close to aircraft parking.

In winter, when there is a lot of snow, the stairs can be extra difficult to navigate. But fortunately, a roof is on the way, so it will be a little easier to get around.

– It was one of the things we had to downgrade last year in order to prioritize the opening itself.

Now there is political interference 

The criticism has long been loud – about everything from parking and stairs to security. Now there is also political pressure. Siumut is demanding that the Government of Greenland convene an extraordinary general meeting.

– Siumut is ready to cooperate in finding solutions. But this requires someone to take responsibility – and it must happen now, it says in a press release.

What does the director say about that?

– It is the politicians' lot to have a position. And if they believe that someone should take responsibility, they are welcome to approach them, says Jens Lauridsen.

He points out that it is not a simple task.

– It is a complex and strictly regulated world in which we operate.

But when is enough?

– I don't know if you can define a limit. There is one when someone says: “Enough!” So I don't think I'm the right person to decide.

Security and One Stop Security

Outside the terminal, Jens Lauridsen continues. When the terminal was put into use last year, leaky facades led to buckets on the floor, but this has reportedly been resolved now.

– Although we have had thaws during the spring sometimes, we have not experienced any water getting in. So that challenge has been solved, says the director.

One Stop Security is still not in place. This means, among other things, that travelers to Copenhagen no longer have to go through transit, but instead are taken directly to baggage claim.

– Since we don't have the approval right now, we are actually training at that level. So in reality we are doing security at the same level, we are just not approved for it by the EU. It requires that you have a certain training period, and that our people are trained and experienced in doing it here, before we can get the approval, says Jens Lauridsen.

He hopes to have the approval before the end of the year.

Since opening last year, everyone – including domestic passengers – has had to go through security. It has been a habit. And a lack of staff has led to delays, especially when the checkpoint opens too late in the morning.

– I think it's deeply embarrassing when that happens, says the director.

11 new ones on the way

When hiring new security guards, it takes time before they can be included in the roster.

– From the time I hire someone until they can work in security, it can take one and a half to two months, he says.

But there is news.

– Right now, as we are recording this, there are 11 on course who will soon be joining security.

The 11 are going to take the exam. And if they pass, the problem is solved.

– Then we should have solved it, but that is assuming they pass, says Jens Lauridsen with a smile and walks towards security.

Collaboration is crucial

Above security we see travelers looking forward to their departure. Some of them have previously suffered delays. The talk turns to the new airports in Ilulissat and Qaqortoq. Can they avoid the same mistakes?

– I can't guarantee that there won't be bumps in the road, but I can guarantee that all the bumps we've had in Nuuk, we'll take into account in Ilulissat, he says.

Good cooperation with Air Greenland is absolutely crucial. This is seen, for example, in baggage handling. Greenland Airports owns the system, while Air Greenland is responsible for the actual handling.

– I think one of the things we have learned is that we are more dependent on each other than we might think in our daily lives.

There is one thing in particular that the director will take with him to Ilulissat, where a new airport will be ready in the fall of 2026.

– The recruitment has also been an eye-opener. It takes time to hire so many people – and even longer before they have the necessary knowledge and training to be able to carry out the tasks at the level that is necessary.