Hundreds of travelers in Iceland and Greenland are facing significant disruption after regional carrier Norlandair cancelled three key flights linking northern Iceland with Reykjavik and the Greenlandic capital Nuuk.

The cancellations, affecting two domestic services from Akureyri to Reykjavik and one international flight from Keflavik to Nuuk, highlight the fragility of regional air networks in the North Atlantic at the height of the winter travel season.

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Three Strategic Flights Pulled From the Schedule

According to airport and schedule information published on December 30, 2025, Norlandair removed three De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400-operated flights from its timetable, triggering a cascade of missed connections for both domestic and international passengers.

Two of the flights were scheduled from Akureyri Airport in northern Iceland to Reykjavik’s domestic airport, while the third was a Keflavik to Nuuk service that forms part of a thin but vital air bridge between Iceland and Greenland.

The affected Akureyri departures included flight FXI31, set to leave for Reykjavik Domestic Airport at 10:45 a.m. GMT on Wednesday, and flight FXI51, planned for 7:30 p.m. GMT on Tuesday.

Both are part of a limited-frequency corridor that residents and visitors rely on to reach the capital region and onward international flights. With only a handful of daily rotations between Akureyri and Reykjavik, the removal of two services in quick succession left many travelers with no same-day alternatives.

International disruptions were compounded by the cancellation of flight FXI115, scheduled to depart Keflavik International Airport for Nuuk at 8:55 a.m. GMT on Sunday.

The Keflavik to Nuuk route is a niche but strategically important link for business travelers, government officials, scientists and tourists moving between Iceland and Greenland.

With few competing services and a tightly structured weekly schedule, any cancellation on this route immediately leaves passengers facing long delays or complex rerouting via other Arctic gateways.

Combined, the three cancellations abruptly removed key north-south and east-west travel options, underscoring how a small number of flights can have an outsized impact in sparsely populated, geographically isolated regions.

Passengers Stranded Between North Iceland, Reykjavik and Greenland

The immediate fallout has been felt most acutely by passengers in Akureyri and Keflavik who were counting on seamless connections to Reykjavik and Nuuk.

Travelers in Akureyri described crowded terminal areas as Norlandair staff worked to manually rebook passengers on the remaining services or, where possible, arrange overnight accommodation in the region.

For many in northern Iceland, the Akureyri to Reykjavik route is more than a convenience. Residents use it for medical appointments in the capital, business meetings, educational commitments and links to long-haul flights from Keflavik.

The cancellation of two departures within roughly a 24-hour period dramatically curtailed flexibility, with some passengers forced to delay trips by at least a day or to consider a winter road journey along routes frequently affected by snow, ice and high winds.

At Keflavik, passengers bound for Nuuk on flight FXI115 were confronted with even fewer alternatives. Air connectivity between Iceland and Greenland is limited, and travel onward from Iceland often fits into carefully calibrated schedules designed around once- or twice-weekly services.

Missing one flight can mean days of disruption. Travelers were left weighing whether to wait for the next available Norlandair or Air Greenland departure, attempt rerouting via Copenhagen, or even postpone their journeys entirely as they recalculated costs and schedules.

Industry observers estimate that the three cancellations together affected several hundred passengers when taking into account direct travelers and those with onward connections.

While exact figures have not been publicly disclosed, airline and airport officials acknowledged a “high-impact event” for a relatively small regional carrier.

Operational Pressures on a Small Regional Fleet

Norlandair operates a compact fleet on a mix of domestic Icelandic routes and regional services that reach across the North Atlantic, including seasonal or scheduled flights to Greenland.

The cancelled services were planned with Dash 8-400 turboprop aircraft, a workhorse on short and medium sectors in harsh weather environments but also a type that often exists in very limited numbers in small fleets.

In such a setup, even a single aircraft taken out of service for unscheduled maintenance or safety checks can severely disrupt operations. If a backup aircraft or crew is not available, airlines are often forced to consolidate flights or cancel services outright.

Regional carriers in Iceland and Greenland have repeatedly warned that they have little slack in their systems, particularly during winter when weather-related delays already stretch operational resilience.

The cancellations come against a wider backdrop of volatility in North Atlantic aviation. In recent years, Iceland has seen the collapses of budget carriers like WOW Air and, more recently, financial pressures on newer low-cost operators, which have periodically disrupted connectivity to and from Reykjavik.

In Greenland, Air Greenland has reported a sharp increase in flight cancellations since shifting its main hub from the inland Kangerlussuaq Airport to the new coastal international airport in Nuuk, where strong winds and infrastructure issues have complicated operations.

Although Norlandair has not publicly detailed the specific causes of the three flight cancellations, the incident fits a broader regional pattern in which small fleets, tight timetables and challenging weather combine to magnify the impact of any operational hiccup.

Nuuk’s New Hub Status Adds Complexity

The cancelled Keflavik to Nuuk service illustrates how Greenland’s evolving airport network is reshaping travel patterns in the high north.

Nuuk’s expanded international airport is gradually replacing Kangerlussuaq as the country’s primary hub, hosting direct Airbus A330neo services to Copenhagen and an increasing number of regional links, including flights to and from Reykjavik.

This shift has brought Greenland’s capital closer to major markets but has also exposed the hub to coastal weather and capacity constraints. In the first half of 2025, Air Greenland recorded several dozen cancellations attributed to the new operating environment at Nuuk, and the airport has faced periods of suspended international operations due to security certification and infrastructure issues.

Each disruption has a multiplier effect across the network, causing knock-on delays for domestic and transatlantic flights alike.

Against this backdrop, Norlandair’s Keflavik to Nuuk route functions as an additional lifeline tying Greenland’s capital to the wider North Atlantic system.

When such a flight is cancelled, passengers lose not only a direct link between Iceland and Greenland but also one of the few convenient ways to synchronize travel onward to Europe or North America without lengthy layovers.

Travel planners note that as Greenland completes new airports at Ilulissat and Qaqortoq and further consolidates operations at Nuuk, demand for reliable ties to neighboring Iceland is likely to grow.

However, maintaining steady service levels will depend heavily on the ability of small carriers like Norlandair to withstand operational shocks.

Limited Alternatives For Rebooking and Rerouting

For the hundreds of passengers affected by Norlandair’s latest cancellations, the search for alternatives has been hampered by the structural realities of regional aviation. With few daily frequencies and limited competition on most routes, options such as simply “taking the next flight” are often not available, particularly during off-peak days in winter.

Passengers in Akureyri were reportedly offered rebooking on subsequent Norlandair flights to Reykjavik where space permitted, or the option of refunds in line with European air passenger rights rules. However, same-day alternatives were scarce. Travelers needing to reach Reykjavik for time-sensitive events were left considering last-minute bus or rental car arrangements on roads where weather alerts are common in January and February.

For those scheduled on the Keflavik to Nuuk flight, rerouting was yet more complicated. Some travelers were able to shift onto later departures to Greenland, while others explored detours via Copenhagen, which remains the main European gateway for Air Greenland’s long-haul operations. Such changes often entail overnight stays, additional airport transfers and rebooking of domestic Greenlandic segments, all of which add cost and stress.

Consumer advocates point out that while European Union regulations provide clear rights to compensation and care in many cancellation scenarios, the practical application of those rules can be challenging in remote regions. Where weather or extraordinary circumstances are involved, cash compensation may not be due, even though passengers still face lengthy delays. In these cases, communication and proactive support from airlines are critical to maintaining traveler confidence.

Broader Lessons for Arctic and Subarctic Travel

The Norlandair cancellations are the latest reminder that travel in Arctic and subarctic regions operates on a knife edge. Sparse ground infrastructure, low population density, and volatile weather all contribute to an environment where aviation is essential yet inherently vulnerable. When combined with the thin margins and modest fleet sizes typical of regional carriers, the result is a network in which a handful of cancelled flights can disrupt mobility across entire regions.

In Iceland, the importance of reliable domestic links has grown as tourism has expanded beyond Reykjavik to northern destinations such as Akureyri, Lake Mývatn and the Arctic coast. Airlines and tourism boards have promoted these areas as gateways to winter experiences like the northern lights and ski touring. Sudden schedule changes risk undermining this diversification push by making it harder for visitors to trust that they can reach and depart from secondary airports on time.

In Greenland, the transition to Nuuk as an international hub has brought long-awaited improvements in connectivity but also a steep learning curve for airport operators and airlines adjusting to the new setup. Repeated disruptions at the capital’s airport have fueled debate over how best to balance the advantages of coastal access and proximity to the capital against the relative reliability of inland alternatives like Kangerlussuaq.

For travelers contemplating trips across the North Atlantic’s northern rim in the coming months, the latest disruptions underscore the importance of flexible itineraries, generous connection buffers and robust travel insurance. Travel experts recommend building in extra days where possible, particularly when journeys involve multiple regional hops or connections to once- or twice-weekly services.

What Travelers Should Do Next

Passengers affected by the Norlandair cancellations are being advised to stay in close contact with the airline, monitor email and text alerts, and keep boarding passes and receipts for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred during the disruption. These documents can be essential when seeking reimbursement for meals, hotels or alternative transport, whether directly from the carrier or through insurance providers.

Travelers still planning upcoming journeys on Norlandair routes between Akureyri, Reykjavik and Nuuk are urged to check flight status frequently in the days before departure. Given the combination of winter weather and tight fleet utilization, further schedule adjustments remain possible. Where flexibility exists, opting for earlier departures in the day can provide more room for rebooking should delays occur.

Consumer rights specialists also remind passengers that, under European air passenger protection rules, airlines must generally offer the choice between rerouting at the earliest opportunity or a full refund when flights are cancelled. Depending on the cause of the disruption and the timing of the notification, additional financial compensation may apply. However, certain conditions, such as extreme weather or airport-related issues outside the airline’s control, can exempt carriers from paying compensation even though they remain responsible for care and assistance.

For now, Norlandair’s cancellations stand as a cautionary development for a region that depends heavily on aviation. As Iceland and Greenland continue to promote themselves as accessible yet remote destinations, the reliability of their smallest carriers will be just as important as the high-profile long-haul services drawing headlines in larger markets.

FAQ

Q1. Which Norlandair flights were cancelled and on which routes?
Norlandair cancelled two domestic services from Akureyri to Reykjavik Domestic Airport, identified as flights FXI31 and FXI51, and one international service, flight FXI115, from Keflavik International Airport to Nuuk in Greenland.

Q2. How many passengers have been affected by these cancellations?
Exact numbers have not been released, but based on typical Dash 8-400 capacity and reported load factors, industry estimates suggest several hundred passengers were directly or indirectly affected across the three flights.

Q3. Why were these Norlandair flights cancelled?
Norlandair has not issued a detailed public explanation, but regional operations in Iceland and Greenland often face combined pressure from aircraft availability, maintenance needs, crew scheduling and winter weather, any of which can necessitate last-minute cancellations.

Q4. What options do affected passengers have for rebooking?
Passengers can request rerouting on the next available Norlandair service where seats are available, or ask for a refund. Some travelers to Nuuk may be rebooked via later Greenland-bound flights or through Copenhagen, depending on seat availability and ticket conditions.

Q5. Are passengers entitled to financial compensation?
Under European air passenger rights rules, travelers may be entitled to compensation if cancellations occur with short notice and are not caused by extraordinary circumstances such as severe weather or airport closures. Eligibility depends on the specific cause and the timing of the notification provided by the airline.

Q6. How are connections from Akureyri to international flights affected?
Passengers planning to fly from Akureyri to Reykjavik and then connect to international departures from Keflavik may miss their onward flights if domestic segments are cancelled or significantly delayed, forcing them to rebook both domestic and international legs.

Q7. Why are routes between Iceland and Nuuk particularly sensitive to disruptions?
There are relatively few flights each week between Iceland and Nuuk, and alternative routings often involve long detours via Copenhagen. As a result, the cancellation of even one flight can leave travelers with multi-day delays or complex rebooking challenges.

Q8. Has Nuuk’s new international airport contributed to recent travel instability?
Nuuk’s expanded airport has improved access to Greenland’s capital but has also experienced weather and operational issues, including increased cancellations and temporary security-related suspensions, which have contributed to a less stable overall flight program in the region.

Q9. What can travelers do to reduce the risk of being stranded on these routes?
Experts advise booking longer connection times, avoiding the last flight of the day when possible, traveling with flexible tickets, and allowing buffer days before critical events, especially in winter and on routes with low weekly frequency.

Q10. Should travelers consider alternative transport options within Iceland?
On some domestic routes, particularly between Akureyri and Reykjavik, buses or self-drive options may be feasible alternatives, although winter conditions can be challenging. Travelers should weigh road safety, weather forecasts and time constraints before deciding to shift from air to ground transport.