Air traffic controller strike shuts down Oslo Airport for hours

A strike by air traffic controllers in Norway shut down Oslo Gardermoen Airport temporarily on Sunday, 23 August. No scheduled takeoffs or landings were permitted between 6:30 and 11:30 local time, according to airport operator Avinor. Only medical and military flights were allowed to operate during the closure.

The industrial action began on Friday. It had already caused disruption at other Norwegian airports, particularly Bergen, before spreading to the capital's main airport.

Avinor said it was assessing the impact on individual flights but could not yet give a total figure for cancellations. How long the strike will continue is unclear, and whether further disruption is expected at other airports across the country remains an open question.

The closure affected a full window of morning departures and arrivals at one of Norway's busiest airports. The operator has not detailed how many flights were cancelled or delayed as a result.