Norwegian air traffic controllers end strike after four days

The Norwegian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association and employers’ organisation Spekter reached an agreement on Monday afternoon, ending a four-day strike that caused widespread cancellations and delays.

All striking controllers will return to work as soon as practically possible. Avinor said air traffic was returning to normal but warned passengers that residual delays and cancellations could continue while airlines and airports restore their schedules.

The settlement followed six hours of talks and provides union members with a pay increase in line with Norway’s frontline wage-setting framework. Further details remain confidential, although the dispute concerned rest breaks, instructor arrangements and policies for employees at different stages of their careers.

The strike particularly affected Oslo Gardermoen and Bergen Flesland, although disruption was recorded across Norway. Hundreds of passengers were stranded at Bergen Airport over the weekend, while Norwegian cancelled 72 Sunday flights affecting around 9,000 travellers during a temporary closure at Oslo Airport.

A planned escalation involving eight additional controllers, which would have affected Tromsø and airspace across central and northern Norway, has consequently been cancelled.

Avinor chief executive Abraham Foss welcomed the agreement, acknowledging the disruption experienced by passengers, airlines and communities dependent on air transport. Passengers are advised to continue checking their flight status directly with their airline.