Flights start May 31

By JANE GEORGE

If you’re planning ahead for this summer, once again you’ll have the option of heading next door — to Greenland.

Air Greenland plans to offer flights to and from Iqaluit on Fridays and Mondays from May 31 to Sept. 13.

You can leave Iqaluit on a Friday at 1:05 p.m., and arrive in Nuuk in time to enjoy the evening by 5:20 p.m. If you want to arrive back on Monday, you leave Nuuk at 12:05 p.m., arrive at about the same time in Iqaluit, due to the time change when you travel between Greenland and Canada.

The cost: as low as $860 return — if it’s available.

The airline wants to draw more Nunavummiut to go shopping in Nuuk where a new $100-million shopping mall opened last July.

Air Greenland is also promoting its Nuuk-Ottawa connection with First Air to Greenlandic travellers.

“Whether you want a cozy family holiday with plenty of activities for the kids, a romantic holiday with boyfriend/spouse or a shopping weekend with the girls, then Ottawa has plenty to offer,” says Air Greenland’s website.

That round trip ticket, which sees passengers leaving Nuuk at 12:05 p.m. and arriving in Ottawa six hours and 45 minutes later. is only $2,245 — again depending on availability and the class of ticket.

Last summer marked the first time in more than 10 years that you can travel from Iqaluit to Greenland.

In 2001, First Air stopped their weekly jet service between Iqaluit and Kangerlussuaq. Air Greenland then looked at starting up a route between Nuuk and Iqaluit in 2010, but those plans were dropped.