Norwich airport shut until 1pm as air traffic control staff walk out

Passengers hit as airport closes for five hours

The shutdown began at 8am and is due to last until 1pm, with the airport advising passengers to check directly with their airline before setting off for the terminal, according to the Mirror.

Norwich Airport said the closure was linked to “ongoing industrial action, short of a strike” involving members of the Prospect union working in air traffic control. Airlines were notified in advance, and the airport apologised to passengers affected.

Several flights were cancelled as a result, including Loganair’s LM10 from Aberdeen, which was due to arrive at 7.55am, and KLM’s KL1055 from Amsterdam, scheduled for 9.05am. The corresponding departures to Aberdeen at 8.25am and Amsterdam at 9.35am were also cancelled.

One flight is still expected to arrive shortly before the airport reopens, with TUI’s TOM5507 from Palma scheduled to land at 12.45pm, just 15 minutes before the closure is due to end.

More Norwich Airport disruption expected next week

The situation could become even more disruptive next week, with Prospect members set to stage a 24-hour strike on Friday, 28 August. The planned walkout would mean Norwich Airport could be forced to close for the entire day, unless the dispute is resolved beforehand.

The airport has criticised the decision to announce further action while negotiations are still under way, but says it is continuing to work with the union in an attempt to reach an agreement. It said it remains committed to resolving the dispute through “constructive dialogue”.

For passengers, the timing could be particularly difficult with the bank holiday weekend approaching, and anyone due to fly from Norwich on 28 August has been advised to check with their airline for the latest information.