Airports / Greenland / THU
Pituffik Space Base.
Pituffik, Greenland · 251 ft elevation. A private-aviation gateway on the Bravo register.
4.2/5
Google rating
6 ratings
0
Operators based
251
Elevation ft
Google rating
Google reviews
Field elevation
Nearest alternate
Field standing
58 nm
To the nearest alternate
Qaanaaq Airport (NAQ).
Overview
Pituffik Space Base (BGTL / THU) sits in Pituffik, Greenland, where it functions as a mid-sized airport. Field elevation is 251 feet above sea level. Scheduled carriers operate here, and the field also sees regular private and charter activity.
While no charter operators list THU as their home base, the field is reachable for repositioned charter aircraft from nearby bases. The closest alternate fields are Qaanaaq Airport (NAQ, 58 nm), Alert Airport (YLT, 366 nm), and Resolute Bay Airport (YRB, 403 nm). The field has a single 9,997-foot paved runway, long enough for charter aircraft up to VIP airliners.
Trip costs from THU are driven by the aircraft category flown and how far it must reposition. You may also see the field referenced as Thule Air Base. Browse operators flying from the area or estimate a trip cost from THU to plan your flight.
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Field capability
ICAO
BGTL
IATA
THU
FAA / Local
BGTL
Elevation
251 ft
Coordinates
76.5306° N · 68.7005° W
Airspace
G · GolfClass G, GolfUncontrolled field, no tower. Pilots self-announce and sequence themselves on the common traffic advisory frequency.Source: FAA NASR class airspace
Size
Medium
Scheduled svc
Yes
Elevation vs Greenland fields
state range 33–505 ft
At 251 ft, THU sits higher than 70% of the 10 Greenland fields on the register.
Runways & aircraft access
1 runway
longest 9,997 ft
- 08T/26T9,997 ft × 150 ftAsphaltLighted
Which aircraft can operate here
vs longest paved runway 9,997 ft
THU's 9,997 ft paved runway typically supports charter aircraft up to VIP airliners.
- Turboprop3,000 ft
- Light Jet3,500 ft
- Midsize Jet4,500 ft
- Super-Midsize Jet5,000 ft
- Heavy Jet5,500 ft
- VIP Airliner6,000 ft
Class minimums are sea-level planning rules of thumb. A specific aircraft's balanced-field length varies with weight, temperature, and field elevation. Confirm performance with the operator.
Access & alternates
Closest alternate fields by great-circle distance, every listing links to its own field brief.
- 58nmNAQQaanaaq AirportQaanaaq
- 366nmYLTAlert AirportAlert
- 403nmYRBResolute Bay AirportResolute Bay
- 514nmYUXHall Beach AirportSanirajak
- 533nmJAVIlulissat AirportIlulissat
- 545nmJEGAasiaat AirportAasiaat
Location
Open the full mapBGTL · Pituffik Space Base · Pituffik, Greenland
Flight times from here
Approximate nonstop block times from THU on a typical midsize charter jet. Faster classes trim these; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.
| Destination | Distance | Block time |
|---|---|---|
| Anchorage (ANC) | 1,780 nm | 4h 32m |
| Boston (BED) | 2,046 nm | 5h 9m |
| Chicago (ORD) | 2,132 nm | 5h 21m |
| New York (TEB) | 2,147 nm | 5h 24m |
| Seattle (SEA) | 2,157 nm | 5h 25m |
| Jackson Hole (JAC) | 2,236 nm | 5h 36m |
| Washington DC (IAD) | 2,269 nm | 5h 41m |
| Denver (DEN) | 2,391 nm | 5h 58m |
Common questions
- What size private jets can use THU?
- Pituffik Space Base's longest paved runway is 9,997 ft, which typically supports charter aircraft up to VIP airliners. Lighter classes (turboprops, light and midsize jets) operate comfortably; confirm exact performance for a specific tail with the operator, since balanced-field length shifts with weight, temperature, and elevation.
- What is the longest runway at THU?
- Pituffik Space Base has one runway; the longest measures 9,997 ft on a paved surface and is lit for night operations.
- What is the nearest major airport to THU?
- The closest alternate is Qaanaaq Airport (NAQ), about 58 nm away, followed by Alert Airport (YLT) at 366 nm. Operators often position aircraft between these fields depending on ramp space and availability.
- How long is a flight from THU to major cities?
- Typical block times on a midsize jet: Anchorage about 4h 32m (1,780 nm), Boston about 5h 9m (2,046 nm), Chicago about 5h 21m (2,132 nm). Faster classes trim these times; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.