Norwich Airport Closes for Five Hours as Air Traffic Control Dispute Disrupts Flights — Norwich, England

NORWICH, England — Norwich Airport closed to air traffic for five hours Friday as industrial action by air traffic control employees disrupted flights.

The temporary closure began at 8 a.m. BST on August 21 and was scheduled to continue until 1 p.m.

Flights affected

KLM flights between Norwich and Amsterdam and Loganair services between Norwich and Aberdeen were among those affected.

Passengers were advised to check directly with their airline before traveling to the airport. Some flights scheduled after the airport reopened were expected to operate.

Action short of a strike

The disruption was caused by industrial action short of a strike involving air traffic control employees represented by the Prospect union.

Workers are following their contracted hours and withdrawing overtime, shift swaps and other voluntary work amid a dispute over pay and employment conditions.

The airport said discussions with the union were continuing and apologized to passengers for the disruption.