Constable Point - Nerlerit Inaat Airport | Gateway to East Greenland Expeditions

By Coty Perry

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Constable Point - Nerlerit Inaat Airport | Gateway to East Greenland Expeditions

Constable Point might be one of the world's most unassuming airports, yet this modest collection of buildings on Jameson Land's windswept tundra serves as the gateway to 100% of Secret Atlas operations in East Greenland. Every expedition micro cruise and photo tour to Scoresbysund—the world's longest fjord system—starts and finishes here, making this remote outpost your first and last taste of Greenland's extraordinary eastern wilderness.

Where is Constable Point?

Nerlerit Inaat Airport (airport code CNP) sits on Jameson Land on Greenland's remote east coast, approximately 40 kilometres northwest of Ittoqqortoormiit, one of the planet's most isolated settlements with just 350 residents. The airport occupies the northern shore of Scoresby Sound, with the southern border of Northeast Greenland National Park—the world's largest national park—located roughly 80 kilometres to the north.

Built in 1985 by US oil company ARCO for petroleum exploration in Jameson Land, the airport was sold to Greenland in 1990 and now operates year-round with twice-weekly international connections to Iceland via Norlandair flights from Reykjavik and Akureyri. A 2-kilometre gravel road connects the terminal to a small port in Hurry Inlet, where expedition vessels anchor during summer months.

The landscape surrounding Constable Point offers a dramatic introduction to East Greenland. Vast windswept tundra stretches toward towering mountains, while Jameson Land itself hosts remarkable wildlife including musk oxen, Arctic foxes, and diverse bird species. For many travellers, the short hike from the airport to the shore—where Zodiacs wait to transfer you to your expedition vessel—provides an immediate immersion in Arctic wilderness before the cruise even begins.

Your East Greenland cruise begins here

When you arrive at Constable Point for a Secret Atlas expedition, you'll meet fellow guests and our team at the airport before walking together to the shoreline. From here, Zodiac boats transfer you across Hurry Inlet to your waiting vessel, and your Scoresby Sound adventure begins.

This arrival experience sets the tone for what follows. There's no bustling cruise terminal, no queues of thousands, no anonymous embarkation process. Instead, you're stepping onto Arctic tundra within minutes of landing, breathing air that's travelled across the Greenland ice sheet, and boarding small boats alongside the handful of fellow travellers who'll become your expedition community over the coming days.

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Nearby landmarks and destinations

Constable Point positions you perfectly for exploring East Greenland's most spectacular locations:

Scoresby Sound – the world's longest fjord system stretching over 350 kilometres inland, filled with massive icebergs calved from the Greenland ice sheet
Ittoqqortoormiit – one of Earth's most remote settlements, accessible by helicopter, boat, or winter snowmobile from Constable Point
Northeast Greenland National Park – the world's largest national park covering nearly half of Greenland's landmass, requiring permits for entry
Jameson Land – the peninsula hosting Constable Point, home to musk oxen herds, Arctic foxes, and important archaeological sites
Liverpool Land – the peninsula south of Scoresby Sound where Ittoqqortoormiit is located
Bjørne Islands – dramatic archipelago within Scoresby Sound featuring Thule culture archaeological remains
Danmark Island – striking island in the fjord system with ancient Thule remains and diverse birdlife

The region's wildlife rivals anywhere in the Arctic. Musk oxen roam Jameson Land's valleys, polar bears hunt along ice edges, and the fjords support populations of narwhals, seals, and Arctic hares. From March through September, travellers pass through Constable Point heading for skiing expeditions, photography tours, scientific research, and expedition cruises exploring this remarkable corner of the Arctic.

Woman exploring the mountains and fjords on Bear Island Scoresby Sund Svalbard

What to expect at Nerlerit Inaat Airport

Nerlerit Inaat is refreshingly small. The modest terminal, a few additional buildings, and a hangar serve around 15 permanent employees who live within the airport compound. No other settlement is reachable by road, making this possibly the airport with the smallest road-accessible population anywhere on Earth.

Despite its size, the airport punches above its weight. An Air Greenland AS 350 helicopter is permanently stationed here, providing connections to Ittoqqortoormiit and search-and-rescue capabilities throughout the region. Mittarfeqarfiit (Greenland Airports) also operates the only accommodation—eight rooms catering to stranded passengers and offering what staff jokingly call 'Hilton 1-star' service. Spending a night here means sleeping at the edge of an airstrip surrounded by immense Greenlandic wilderness, an experience few airports anywhere can match.

For Constable Point cruise passengers with Secret Atlas, you won't typically need to use the airport accommodation. Our charter flights are coordinated with vessel schedules, and the transfer from aircraft to Zodiac to ship happens smoothly on arrival day. But knowing the infrastructure exists adds reassurance when travelling to one of the world's most remote regions.

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Getting to Constable Point

Reaching Constable Point requires flying through Iceland. Norlandair operates twice-weekly scheduled flights from Reykjavik and Akureyri, with flight times around two hours depending on departure city. Secret Atlas coordinates charter flights for expedition departures, meaning you'll travel with fellow guests from a pre-arranged meeting point in Iceland.

The flight itself offers spectacular views as you cross the Denmark Strait and approach Greenland's east coast. Weather can affect schedules—this is the Arctic, after all—but our team builds flexibility into expedition planning to accommodate the realities of remote travel.

Frequently asked questions

Can I visit Ittoqqortoormiit from Constable Point?

Yes, though it requires additional transport. Air Greenland helicopters connect the airport with Ittoqqortoormiit Heliport in approximately 10 minutes. During summer, boat transfers via Hurry Inlet are possible, while winter allows snowmobile travel depending on ice conditions. Some Secret Atlas expeditions include Ittoqqortoormiit visits as part of the itinerary.

Is there accommodation at Constable Point?

Mittarfeqarfiit operates eight rooms at the airport for passengers requiring overnight stays. Secret Atlas expedition guests typically transfer directly from aircraft to vessel on arrival day.

What wildlife might I see around Constable Point?

Jameson Land hosts musk oxen, Arctic foxes, and various bird species. The surrounding waters and ice support seals, and polar bears occasionally appear in the region. Your expedition vessel will take you to prime wildlife viewing locations throughout Scoresby Sound.

Do I need permits for Northeast Greenland National Park?

Yes, visiting the national park requires permits from the Greenland Government. Secret Atlas handles all permit arrangements for expeditions entering the park, so you don't need to arrange these independently.

What's the best time to visit East Greenland?

The expedition season runs from late spring through early autumn. Spring (March-May) offers skiing and snowmobiling opportunities with dramatic light conditions. Summer (June-August) provides 24-hour daylight and optimal conditions for cruising. Autumn (September) brings returning darkness and northern lights possibilities.

Start your East Greenland adventure

Constable Point may be modest in size, but it opens the door to one of Earth's most spectacular and least-visited wilderness regions. From here, Secret Atlas expedition micro cruises carry just 12 guests into Scoresby Sound's iceberg-filled waters, along coastlines where musk oxen graze and polar bears hunt, and to settlements where Inuit culture continues despite extraordinary isolation.

Your East Greenland cruise begins the moment you step off the plane onto Arctic tundra. The adventure that follows among the world's largest icebergs, most remote communities, and most pristine wilderness—starts right here at Constable Point.

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