Icelandair Launches Nuuk Flights With Boeing 737-8 After Runway Upgrade

Icelandair has begun operating Boeing 737-8 aircraft on its Reykjavik Keflavik to Nuuk, Greenland route, replacing years of De Havilland turboprop operations. The upgauge follows the recent completion of Nuuk Airport’s extended 2,200-meter runway, enabling larger jet operations. The first Boeing 737-8 flight launched on June 2, 2025.

Previously, Icelandair served the Nuuk route using DHC-8-Q200 and DHC-8-Q400 aircraft, with seating capacities of 37 and 76 passengers, respectively. The Boeing 737-8 now offers 160 seats, including 16 in business class and 144 in economy, significantly boosting passenger capacity.

Despite the larger aircraft, Icelandair has reduced weekly flight frequencies from three to two, balancing increased seat supply with demand on the Greenland route.

According to ch-aviation data, Icelandair’s fleet currently includes seventeen Boeing 737-8s, four A321-200NX(LR)s, four Boeing 737-9s, eleven Boeing 757-200s, three Boeing 767-300ERs, and one Boeing 767-300ER(BCF). Its regional subsidiary, Flugfélag Íslands, operates three DHC-8-Q200s and three DHC-8-Q400s. However, the airline plans to fully retire its remaining turboprops in the second half of 2026 as it continues to streamline operations around its growing fleet of next-generation jets.

The deployment of the Boeing 737-8 to Nuuk reflects Icelandair’s long-term fleet modernization strategy, while the upgraded runway marks a significant milestone for Greenland’s aviation infrastructure, opening the market for larger aircraft and improved connectivity.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com