Icelandic Air Traffic Controllers Plan Sunday Strike
Icelandic air traffic controllers are preparing for strike action this Sunday after failed mediation talks. The strike will close airspace above Keflavik and Reykjavik airports, disrupting international travel during peak tourism season. Emergency flights will be exempt from the work stoppage.
Icelandic air traffic controllers will likely begin strike actions this Sunday. No agreement was reached during today's four-hour mediation session with the Icelandic Federation of Labor.
The meeting started at 1 PM and concluded at 5 PM on Wednesday. Arnar Hjálmsson, chairman of the Icelandic Air Traffic Controllers' Association, reported little progress in negotiations. He said various approaches were attempted but failed to produce results.
Arnar stated in a press briefing, "We don't rule anything out completely, but as things stand now, a strike appears inevitable this Sunday."
The first work stoppage will affect approach control services at Keflavik and Reykjavik airports. This mirrors similar actions taken in 2023. The strike begins Sunday at 10 PM and continues until 3 AM Monday morning.
Emergency flights, medical transport, and Coast Guard operations will receive exemptions from the strike action. The wage dispute was referred to the state mediator in April.
On Tuesday, air traffic controllers announced this planned work stoppage. It will result in closed airspace above Iceland's two main international airports.
This strike threatens to disrupt international travel to and from Iceland during peak summer season. The timing puts pressure on both tourism operators and negotiators to find a swift resolution.
Air traffic controllers have chosen a strategic moment for maximum impact. Their previous 2023 action demonstrated how quickly airport closures can affect Iceland's tourism-dependent economy.