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Axel Sigurðarson

In a recent interview with Canadian media, Greenlandic politician Vittus Qujaukitsoq criticised Iceland’s control over Greenlandic airspace. 

Since the end of World War II, Iceland has provided air navigation services over the North Atlantic alongside six other states. The Icelandic flight information region, named BIRD, comprises Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and the Nuuk flight information area (BGGL FIR), which covers approximately 70 percent of Greenland’s landmass. 

In an interview with The Globe And Mail, Vittus claimed the arrangement is limiting to Greenlanders. Controlling their own flight region would be a step towards financial independence, he argued, estimating the revenue of the operations would bring 30-40 million USD into Greenland. 

In conversation with RÚV, former director of aviation Þorgeir Pálsson opposes Vittus’ claims. 

“In reality, the revenue that comes in covers the costs,” he said. The majority of state revenue incurred by aviation control is the taxable income of staff, Þorgeir continued.

According to information from Isavia and the ministry of infrastructure, a large part of current air traffic passes the Icelandic part of the region. If Greenland would assume control over the Nuuk flight information area, air traffic directed from Iceland would be reduced by 30 percent, RÚV reports.