- The strike began on Friday, August 21, 2026, after working condition talks failed
- Dublin Oslo SK4604@08.45 & inbound SK4603 cancelled on Sunday
- Oslo Airport closed for five hours on Sunday morning, causing over 120 cancellations
- Sunday’s SAS rotation between Oslo and Dublin was among 150 cancelled flights
- Bergen and Stavanger airports have experienced major service disruptions
- The union will expand the strike on Tuesday, August 25, if no agreement is reached
The ongoing air traffic control strike in Norway has caused widespread flight cancellations and severe delays across the country since Friday, August 21, 2026. Negotiations between the union and employer representatives have failed to resolve disputes over working conditions, with the disruption now entering its fourth day. The strike action has affected major airports including Oslo Gardermoen, Bergen Flesland, and Stavanger Airport, with the Røyken Control Centre also experiencing service shortages that have forced airlines to adjust their schedules. Dublin to Oslo SK4604@08.45 & inbound SK4603 was cancelled on Sunday.
Oslo Airport remained completely closed to regular flights for five hours on Sunday morning, August 23, resulting in over 120 cancelled flights and creating extensive knock-on delays that continue to affect airline scheduling. Sunday’s SAS rotation between Oslo and Dublin was among the 150 flight cancellations recorded during the strike period. Bergen Airport suffered major disruptions early in the strike, forcing hundreds of travellers to spend the night at the terminal. Major regional carriers including Norwegian Air Shuttle, SAS, and Widerøe have all been forced to cancel or delay flights across their networks.
The union plans to expand the strike on Tuesday, August 25, if the first round of talks on Monday, August 24, does not lead to a resolution. An additional eight controllers will walk out, directly affecting Tromsø Airport and the airspace across Central and Northern Norway. Airlines advise passengers not to cancel tickets prematurely, as doing so might waive their right to a full refund or free rebooking. Affected passengers should check flight status through airline apps and wait for direct contact from carriers regarding rebooking options, accommodation details, or refund steps.
The disruptions have continued through the weekend and are expected to persist through Monday 24 August, with the potential for further escalation on Tuesday 25 August if the union and employer representatives fail to reach an agreement. Sunday’s SAS rotation between Oslo and Dublin was among the 150 flight cancellations recorded during the strike period.
Oslo Airport (Gardermoen) closed completely to regular flights for five hours on Sunday morning 23 August, resulting in over 120 cancelled flights and major knock-on delays as airlines work to reset their schedules. Bergen Airport (Flesland) suffered major disruptions early in the strike, forcing hundreds of travellers to spend the night at the terminal, while Stavanger Airport and the Røyken Control Centre have also experienced service shortages and flight adjustments. Major regional carriers including Norwegian Air Shuttle, SAS, and Widerøe have all cancelled or delayed flights across their networks.
If the first round of talks on Monday 24 August does not lead to a resolution, the union plans to expand the strike on Tuesday 25 August with an additional eight controllers walking out, directly affecting Tromsø Airport and the airspace across Central and Northern Norway. Airlines advise passengers to check flight status on airline apps before travelling to the airport and warn against cancelling tickets independently, as doing so may waive the right to a full refund or free rebooking. Passengers with affected flights will receive direct contact from their airline via text or email with rebooking options, accommodation details, or refund steps.
Martin Jansen, union representative for the Norwegian Air Traffic Controllers Association, shared: “Our members have been left with no choice but to take this action after months of unsuccessful negotiations over basic working conditions.”
A spokesperson for Avinor, the Norwegian airport operator, shared: “The strike by air traffic controllers has led to significant disruptions across the country, and we are working closely with airlines to manage the situation and assist affected passengers.”
