- Norwich Airport closed for nearly ten hours across three periods on 3 September 2026.
- Prospect union members began action short of a strike on 17 August 2026.
- Staff seek a 10 pc pay rise and improved parental leave.
- A complete twenty-four-hour shutdown occurred on 28 August 2026.
- KLM cancelled multiple flights connecting Norwich to Amsterdam.
Norwich Airport was forced to close for multiple periods totalling nearly ten hours on Thursday, 3 September 2026, after air traffic control (ATC) staff sickness compounded ongoing industrial action by the Prospect union. The airport was shut to air traffic during three specific windows: 06:00 to 14:00, 16:00 to 16:45, and 18:45 to 19:45. Air traffic control members belonging to the Prospect union began action short of a strike on 17 August 2026.
Staff have been working strictly to contract, refusing shift swaps, and turning down non-contractual overtime. The ongoing strain led to a complete twenty-four-hour shutdown on Friday, 28 August 2026, as well as previous partial closures. The union claims workers are paid below England market rate and are seeking a 10 pc pay rise alongside improved parental leave. The airport previously offered phased pay increases that were rejected.
Dutch airline KLM cancelled multiple flights connecting Norwich to its Amsterdam Schiphol hub. Travellers with upcoming itineraries are strongly urged to check directly with their airlines for real-time status updates before travelling to the terminal. Due to air traffic control sickness and ongoing industrial action which limits the flexibility to provide additional staff cover, Norwich Airport remains closed to air traffic.
