Air traffic controller strike closes Gardermoen – air traffic halted on Sunday morning

From 06.30 to 11.30 on Sunday, 23 August, no aircraft will be able to take off or land at Oslo Gardermoen. This means that air traffic at Norway's largest airport will be completely halted during the morning hours.

The reason is the air traffic controllers' strike that began on Friday after the Norwegian Air Traffic Controllers' Association and the employers' organisation Spekter failed to reach an agreement in mediation. The dispute concerns, among other things, working conditions and breaks, as well as the terms for air traffic controllers working in training and supervision.

A total of twelve air traffic controllers have been called out on strike. The dispute affects not only the airports where striking controllers work, but also has knock-on effects throughout the Norwegian aviation system.

72 flights cancelled

During Saturday, the strike has already led to a large number of cancelled and delayed flights. According to Norwegian media, at least 72 flights have been cancelled as a result of the dispute.

Although Gardermoen reopens at 11.30 on Sunday, disruptions are expected to continue for the rest of the day. When air traffic is suspended for several hours, aircraft and crews end up in the wrong locations, which may cause delays and cancelled departures even after the air traffic controllers return to work.

Travellers flying via Oslo should therefore not assume that a departure after 11.30 will operate according to schedule.

Monday's air traffic may also be affected by knock-on effects.

Risk of escalation

The conflict may also escalate. The trade union has announced that a further eight air traffic controllers could be called out on strike from Tuesday 25 August if the parties do not reach an agreement.

This means that the problems could continue after the weekend and have consequences for both domestic and international traffic.

Avinor, which operates Norway's airports, urges travellers to follow information from their airline and check their flight status before travelling.

For those travelling via Gardermoen during the weekend, the recommendation is therefore to check the flight directly with the airline before departure. The situation can change quickly as more flights are cancelled or if the parties resume negotiations.