Norwich Airport closed to all air traffic on Friday, August 28, after air traffic control workers staged a 24-hour strike during the busy summer bank-holiday travel period.
The airport confirmed that no flights would operate to or from Norwich that day. Airlines were informed of the closure, and affected passengers were advised to contact their carrier for the latest information and available travel options.
Why Norwich Airport Closed
The walkout involved air traffic control employees represented by the Prospect union and formed part of an ongoing dispute concerning pay, terms and working conditions.
Prospect said staffing numbers in air traffic control were extremely low and that the airport regularly relied on staff goodwill to maintain safe minimum staffing levels. The union later confirmed that the strike would proceed after members rejected the airport’s revised offer.
Earlier Disruption Had Already Affected Flights
The full-day closure was not the first disruption connected with the dispute. Norwich Airport had previously closed to air traffic for five hours on August 21 during industrial action short of a strike.
Because the action involved the airport’s air traffic control operation rather than one individual airline, it had the potential to affect every carrier scheduled to use the airport during the closure.
What Passengers Should Do
Passengers with upcoming flights from Norwich should continue checking directly with their airline before travelling to the airport. The airport has said it remains committed to resolving the dispute through further discussions with Prospect.
England and Wales’ summer bank holiday falls on Monday, August 31, 2026, according to the official UK government bank-holiday calendar.
