Air Traffic Controllers Announce Strike On Sunday

Air traffic controllers are planning to go on strike on Sunday, unless circumstances change. The work stoppage is scheduled to run from 22:00 on Sunday, October 19, until 03:00 on Monday, October 20, reports RÚV. The pay dispute between the controllers and the Confederation of Icelandic Employers was referred to a mediator earlier this year.

Arnar Hjálmsson, chairman of the Icelandic Air Traffic Controllers’ Association, told RÚV that the companies had been formally notified of the strike.

According to Isavia’s website, the strike will affect five departures and ten arrivals at Keflavík Airport. No scheduled flights are planned at Reykjavík Airport during this period.

The strike will follow a similar pattern to measures taken by air traffic controllers in 2023 and will take place in the approach areas at both Reykjavík and Keflavík airports.

“This would mean that all flights to and from Keflavík and Reykjavík airports would be grounded during the strike. We sincerely hope that does not happen,” Arnar said.

As a result, delays could occur for flights to and from Iceland, since landings will not be possible while the strike is in effect. Exemptions will be granted for medical and emergency flights.