A years-long airport dispute in Greenland – which recently led to a government crisis – has come to an end.
Denmark is investing big money in one of the region's largest infrastructure projects ever.
The self-governing Danish region will expand two airports and build a brand new third, the regional parliament decided on Thursday.
The two existing airports are located in Nuuk (Godthåb) and Ilulissat on the west coast of Greenland. The new one will be built in Qaqortoq closer to the southern tip of the main island.
Denmark is contributing DKK 700 million to the financing, giving the Danish state a one-third stake in the airport's owner company. The company will also receive a low-interest Danish loan of DKK 450 million, as well as a guarantee for another loan of the same size.
With this, Denmark also gains veto rights over other investors, after a Chinese company showed interest in the project.
Danish influence has divided Greenlandic politicians and led to the pro-independence party Partii Naleraq (The Benchmark) leaving the regional government in September.
Other critics believe that the multi-million dollar sums could be used for better purposes. Proponents of the project believe that Greenland's exports and tourism will get a new boost.
Source: TT
