Norwich Airport to Shut for 24 Hours in Air Traffic Control Strike
Norwich Airport will close to all air traffic on Friday 28 August after air traffic controllers represented by Prospect confirmed a 24-hour strike. No flights will depart from or arrive at the airport during the closure. Airlines have been informed, and anyone booked to travel that day is being told to check directly with their carrier for the latest flight status and available alternatives.
What Passengers Need to Know
- Date: Friday 28 August 2026.
- Closure: 24 hours.
- Flights: No arrivals or departures will operate.
- Reason: Strike by Prospect members working in Air Traffic Control.
- Who is affected: Anyone booked to fly through Norwich that day.
- Airline notice: Carriers have already been informed about the closure.
- What to do: Check your airline before travelling and review any rebooking or refund options it offers.
The strike follows industrial action that began on 17 August, with controllers working strictly to contracted hours and refusing overtime, shift swaps and goodwill working. Prospect says the dispute concerns pay and family leave, and is seeking a 10% pay rise. Norwich Airport has said talks are continuing. Earlier disruption on 21 August forced a five-hour closure and cancellations involving KLM and Loganair services.
Passengers whose flights are cancelled should deal with their airline rather than the airport. Under UK passenger-rights rules, the carrier must offer a refund, re-routing at the earliest opportunity, or travel at a later date subject to availability. Those choosing re-routing may also be entitled to meals, accommodation and transport while they wait. Fixed compensation is normally not payable when disruption is caused by an air traffic control strike.
Anyone due to use Norwich on 28 August should check their booking before leaving for the airport, especially if the flight connects with a longer journey. Choosing a refund usually ends the airline’s obligation to re-route you, so passengers who still need to travel should compare the alternatives first. Keep receipts for reasonable expenses if the airline cannot provide required care during the disruption.