Norwich Airport strike disrupts North Sea offshore flights

Norwich Airport experienced a full 24-hour closure on Friday, August 28, due to industrial action by air traffic control staff represented by the Prospect union. The strike follows a period of “action short of a strike” that began on August 17, where staff worked strictly to contract terms.

The union is demanding a 10% pay rise to align salaries with UK market rates, alongside improved parental leave provisions. Specifically, Prospect is seeking four months of full pay, four months of half pay, and four months of statutory maternity leave, plus one month of fully paid paternity leave.

The disruption has impacted commercial, tourist, and charter flights. Saxon Air, a private charter airline, reported that the action has compromised essential offshore helicopter flights supporting the North Sea energy industry, as well as medical repatriations and flight training.