Air traffic controllers strike in Norway: Paralysis of Gardermoen airport and canceled flights

Gardermoen was closed from 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The operator of Norwegian airports, Avinor, announced numerous cancellations and long delays also after the reopening of the airport. The effects are expected to be felt across Norway for the rest of Sunday.

Avinor announced in a statement that at least 150 flights will be canceled throughout Norway on Sunday. Norwegian Airlines suspended 72 flights, including to Krakow. SAS has also removed many morning flights from its Sunday schedule.

Controllers' strike in Norway

The strike began on Friday. On Saturday evening, the departure of controllers from work resulted in the temporary closure of the airspace over western Norway to regular traffic. In Bergen, several hundred travelers had to spend the night at the airport. Area hotels ran out of rooms, and Avinor and the Red Cross distributed camp beds, blankets and water to passengers.

The dispute concerns primarily working conditions and wages. The employer does not agree to meet the strikers' demands. The proposed increase amounting to an average of approximately PLN 62,000. crowns per year (approx. PLN 24,000) was rejected by the strikers.

The situation in Gardermoen and Bergen is expected to gradually improve on Monday, although the effects of Sunday's disruptions will still be felt. From Tuesday, the controllers are to expand the protest, and the problems are to cover airports also in central and northern Norway.