Norwich Airport has temporarily closed, with flights to and from the airport cancelled, due to strike action by air traffic control staff. The closure is in place between 08:00 and 13:00 on Friday 21 August while workers walk out.
Details of the Closure
An announcement on the Norwich Airport website stated: “Due to ongoing industrial action, short of a strike, involving Prospect union members in Air Traffic Control, Norwich Airport will be closed to air traffic between 08:00 and 13:00 on Friday 21 August.” The airport added that all airlines have been made aware of the closure.
Air Traffic Control members of the Prospect Union voted in favour of industrial action from August 17 in relation to pay and conditions. Workers involved are refusing to work overtime hours, work on a goodwill basis or swap shifts, instead working strictly within contracted hours.
Demands and Impact
The union is demanding a 10% pay increase for workers, bringing them up to the UK market rate. Members are also calling for better maternity and paternity leave as part of the industrial action.
Loganair flights to and from Aberdeen have been axed, as well as KLM flights to and from Amsterdam. Some flights are still scheduled for this afternoon, including TUI flights to Palma and Ryanair flights to Alicante.
Airport Statement
A spokesperson for Norwich Airport said: “We apologise to passengers for the inconvenience this may cause. Discussions with Prospect are continuing and we remain committed to resolving the dispute through constructive dialogue.”
