United Airlines 737 Flight from Greenland Delayed by Reindeer Hunt, How?

CHICAGO- United Airlines (UA) experienced an unusual delay on its seasonal Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Nuuk Airport (GOH) service, caused not by weather, technical issues, or air traffic control, but by the start of Greenland’s reindeer hunting season.

On August 3, 2025, the twice-weekly Boeing 737 MAX 8 service between Newark (EWR) and Nuuk (GOH) was delayed by more than three hours after local airport security staff did not report for duty. Instead, many were participating in reindeer hunting, a cultural tradition in Greenland.

Photo: Duncan Kirk | https://www.flickr.com/photos/182528221@N07/

United Airlines Flight Delayed

This seasonal route covers a distance of 1,849 miles and has generally maintained reliable operations. On this occasion, the scheduled 9:00 AM departure from Nuuk was postponed until 12:13 PM, arriving in Newark at 1:45 PM local time instead of the planned 10:30 AM.

The delay was not linked to labor disputes or operational shortages. Instead, it coincided with the opening of reindeer hunting season, an event that draws many Greenlanders away from work.

As observed by expatriates living in Nuuk, entire streets can become empty as residents take to the water and countryside to hunt and fish.

In Greenland, hunting and fishing are not just pastimes but vital means of securing food for the year. While supermarkets exist, they depend on shipments from Denmark, Iceland, and other parts of Europe.

These supply vessels cannot always operate during late autumn, winter, and early spring due to ice conditions.

As a result, reindeer meat and fish must be gathered in season to ensure adequate food supplies. The cultural and practical importance of hunting makes it nearly impossible to keep staff at work during peak hunting days, even in critical sectors like airport operations, OMAAT reported.

Photo: Andrew E. Cohen | Flickr

Operational Lessons

For international airlines, such delays highlight the importance of understanding local customs and seasonal patterns when planning routes to remote destinations.

While this type of disruption is rare, it illustrates how cultural traditions can take precedence over commercial schedules in certain regions.

United Airlines has not indicated any changes to its Nuuk service, which remains a popular seasonal route for travelers seeking access to Greenland’s capital. Passengers, however, may wish to account for such cultural events when booking flights during hunting season.

Photo: wilco737 | Flickr

Similar Incidents

Alaska Airlines (AS) faced a wildlife-related incident on July 24, 2025, when a Boeing 737 MAX 8 collided with three deer during landing at Kodiak Airport (ADQ).

The aircraft was operating flight AS231 from Anchorage (ANC) to Kodiak when the accident occurred, resulting in landing gear damage and grounding of the jet for inspection.

The 1-year-old aircraft, registered N801AK, had completed its 253-mile journey and was touching down on runway 26 when the animals entered the active runway.

Standard landing procedures were underway, leaving the pilots with no safe way to avoid the impact. No passengers or crew were injured, but all three deer were killed instantly.

Video evidence and eyewitness accounts confirm the deer appeared suddenly, making evasive action impossible without risking the safety of the flight. The aircraft remains parked at Kodiak while damage assessments continue, with no confirmed return to service date.

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