Members of the Prospect union representing air traffic control staff at Norwich Airport have voted to take a one-day strike on Friday, 28 August 2026, amid a pay and conditions dispute. The strike follows a work-to-rule campaign that started on Monday, 17 August 2026, where staff are working strictly to contracted hours and refusing overtime, shift swaps, or goodwill work.
Pay Dispute and Negotiations
Prospect union members are demanding a 10% pay rise and improved maternity and paternity leave, stating their pay and terms lag behind similar workers in the United Kingdom. Norwich Airport has offered a 3% pay increase. David Avery, Prospect’s national
secretary for aviation, said: “Our members in air traffic control are not making unreasonable demands. They are simply asking for pay levels and terms and conditions that are normal for their colleagues across the country.” He called the lack of an acceptable offer “extremely disappointing” and said this left the union with little choice but to push ahead with the industrial action. A Norwich Airport spokesperson said: “It is disappointing that Prospect has chosen to announce further industrial action while negotiations to resolve the dispute are ongoing. We remain firmly committed to resolving this dispute through constructive dialogue and will
continue to engage with Prospect with the aim of reaching agreement.”
Impact on Norwich Airport Operations
Strike action is expected to cause major disruption at Norwich Airport due to extremely low air traffic control staffing levels on 28 August 2026. Flights could be unable to operate or face significant delays during one of the busiest travel periods of the year, coinciding with a bank holiday weekend. Passengers have been advised to check in as normal and consult their airlines for updates.
Background to the Industrial Action
The dispute centers on pay and terms and conditions for air traffic control workers at Norwich Airport. Prospect union members believe their current pay
and working conditions lag behind those of their counterparts nationwide. They also seek improved maternity and paternity leave benefits. Norwich Airport expressed disappointment about the strike announcement but affirmed its commitment to resolving the dispute through ongoing negotiations.
