Flight Information Service
Naviair provides flight information services in Greenlandic airspace up to 19,500 feet from the Flight Information Centre (FIC) in Nuuk.
Nuuk FIC operates 24/7 and is physically located in the Arctic Command building near the Passenger Port in Nuuk. The service is provided without surveillance and is based on position reports from aircraft via radio communication.
The FIC serves Greenlandic domestic traffic as well as international flights landing or departing in Greenland. It offers pilots advice and information while they operate in Greenlandic airspace, helping them avoid collisions and navigate effectively. Additionally, the FIC provides information on weather conditions, pressure levels, radio frequencies, and more.
Alerting Service
In addition to flight information services, FIC Nuuk also provides alerting service. All flights with a filed flight plan are covered by this service from departure to arrival. If an aircraft fails to arrive on time, the alerting process is initiated. Fifteen minutes after the expected arrival time, a search is initiated, and after 30 minutes, the on-duty SAR (Search and Rescue) Mission Coordinator is contacted to take over the coordination of the search and potential rescue operation.
In addition to general alerting services, Naviair provides area-specific alerting for flights over remote regions, including the Greenlandic ice cap. Here, pilots report their planned route and the estimated time of their next communication with FIC Nuuk. FIC Nuuk monitors these reports to ensure no aircraft remains unsearched for in the event of an accident.
COM Centre
From the COM Centre in Nuuk, FIC staff monitor international and domestic data circuits used for aviation-related telegram exchanges. Naviair collects meteorological information from Greenlandic airports and synoptic stations and oversees data circuits between Greenland, Iceland, Canada, and Copenhagen. If communication lines fail, Naviair establishes alternative transmission methods whenever possible.
The COM Centre is also responsible for Greenland's Briefing and NOTAM services, including the handling of flight plans and Notices to Airmen (NOTAM). These notices provide information about temporary operational changes in airspace, such as outages of communication or navigation equipment, special airspace operations (e.g., drones), or temporary procedural adjustments.
Search and Rescue (SAR) Services in Greenland
Naviair is a vital part to search and rescue operations in Greenland, which are part of the coordinated efforts led by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Greenland (JRCC) under the Arctic Command. Greenland’s SAR operations are divided into three domains:
> Air: Handled by Naviair, including air SAR missions.
> Sea: Managed by Arctic Command.
> Land: Coordinated by the Greenlandic police.
No matter if it’s SAR-missions in the air, on the sea or at land, there is a strong coorporation between Naviair, Arctic Command and the Greenlandic Police.
After two years of service at FIC Nuuk, Naviair staff are trained as SAR Mission Coordinators (SMC), enabling them to lead SAR missions in Greenlandic airspace. Their responsibilities include locating distressed aircraft, activating rescue helicopters and planes, directing them to search areas, and coordinating with national and international rescue agencies. Naviair participates annually in a major Greenlandic SAR exercise with national emergency services and biennially in a large NATO exercise with international participants.
FIC Nuuk Staff and Training
FIC Nuuk is staffed by 16 certified FIC operators. All personnel have undergone specialized training to provide flight information services. Continuous training ensures that staff remain updated on new regulations and procedures. Approximately every two years, they participate in simulator training to practice handling abnormal situations, such as aircraft emergencies, evacuations, and coordination challenges.