The Greenland Government has warned that taking over the Danish state's shareholding in Greenland Airports International is not economically viable at this time.
A takeover of the state's 33 percent ownership stake will require negotiation and assessment of the value of the shareholding and associated financing of the purchase. This could lead to a significant expense for the treasury, the Greenlandic Government assessed in the autumn:
- The situation of the Treasury requires that major investments be prioritized carefully, and there are currently other urgent needs that require attention and resources, the Greenlandic Government has warned in a response note to the proposal submitted by Naleraq Chairman Pele Broberg.
Nevertheless, a unanimous Finance and Tax Committee recommends that the Greenlandic Government instruct the Greenlandic Government to take action in the matter and to contact the National Authorities by 1 January 2027 at the latest with a view to taking over the Danish state's shareholding in the airport company.
The state has provided billions for airport construction
This is apparent from a report presented in connection with the fact that the Greenlandic Government is scheduled to consider the proposal at today's meeting.
In a previous response memorandum, the Greenlandic Government has argued that the current partnership with the Danish state has helped to ensure that Greenland has been given the opportunity to expand existing infrastructure, which in the long term will benefit both the population and the business community.
Also, the Greenlandic Government already has a controlling interest in Greenland Airports International with an ownership stake of 67 percent. The Greenlandic Government also agrees that Greenland should eventually own the entire company.
In the summer of 2025, it emerged that the Danish Parliament's Finance Committee had approved an additional capital grant of DKK 400 million and a new loan facility of up to DKK 1,140 million for Greenland Airports International. The large sum of money was to be used to complete the airport in Ilulissat.
In addition to the additional financing, the state has previously injected DKK 700 million into the company and provided a so-called state re-lending of DKK 1 billion. The money has been used in airport construction in Nuuk and Ilulissat.
