Norwegian air traffic controller strike disrupts flights across Norway

A strike by Norwegian air traffic controllers began today, August 21st, disrupting operations at several of Norway’s largest airports and causing cancellations and delays. The first group of twelve air traffic controllers has been taken out on strike at four locations: Oslo Airport Gardermoen, Bergen Airport Flesland, Stavanger Airport and the air traffic control centre at Røyken.

The impact is expected to be greatest at Oslo and Bergen, with operator Avinor warning that Gardermoen could be closed to traffic for several hours during the weekend. Parts of the airspace over western Norway could also be closed periodically.

“We expect delays from the afternoon, which will increase throughout the day and become worse this evening,” Avinor spokesperson Helene W. Jensen told Norwegian media.

Cancellations had already started by Friday morning, although the initial disruptions mainly affected flights to and from Oslo.

The strike officially began at 11:00 local time on Friday, with the effects expected to increase throughout the day and continue over the weekend.

Dispute over working conditions

The strike follows failed mediation between the Norwegian Air Traffic Controllers Association (Norsk Flygelederforbund) and employer organisation Spekter.

Mediation ended without an agreement after the deadline expired overnight. National Mediator Mats Wilhelm Ruland said the two sides remained so far apart that there was no basis for presenting a proposal that could reasonably be expected to be accepted by both parties.

Spekter claims the union rejected wage increases in line with Norway’s broader wage settlement framework. According to Spekter, this would have amounted to an average increase of around NOK 62,000 (€5,300) per air traffic controller.

The union, however, says the dispute is not primarily about pay but about working conditions, particularly breaks and working hours.

Union leader Robert Gjønnes said controllers can risk working between eight and 16 hours without a break, something the union considers unacceptable.

The union has already announced a further escalation. Another eight air traffic controllers are due to join the strike on Tuesday.

Airlines warn passengers of disruption

Norwegian says it had prepared for a possible strike but expects the impact on passengers to become clearer throughout Friday.

“This is not news we wanted. We hoped for the best possible outcome for our passengers and for us,” Norwegian spokesperson Catharina Solli said.

SAS has also increased its customer service capacity to assist affected passengers.

The airline warned that the strike would cause disruption to air traffic and urged the parties to return to the negotiating table.

Passengers are being advised to closely monitor information from their airline. Avinor says passengers who have not received information about a cancellation should continue to go to the airport as normal.

The Norwegian government can intervene and order compulsory arbitration if a strike is considered to pose a serious threat to life, health or other major societal interests. However, the threshold for such intervention is high.