Strike shuts more Norway airports

Another six Norwegian airports closed yesterday as a ground workers' strike escalated, creating transport problems for the oil industry which relies on airports in western Norway for access to offshore rigs.

A total of 12 airports have been shut due to the strike, which began on Friday and relates to a pay dispute, airport owner Avinor said yesterday. Scandinavian carrier SAS estimated the strike was costing it 15 million Swedish crowns (€1.6 million) per day and said it was forced to cancel 197 flights yesterday and 500 since the strike began.

SAS said its Norwegian, Swedish and Danish subsidiaries were affected. "The strike is hurting airlines in a very unfortunate way," SAS said in a statement. SAS shares traded down 1.5 per cent at 50.25 crowns (€5.39) in Stockholm.

The airport in Stavanger, Norway's "oil capital" and home to Norwegian energy group StatoilHydro's headquarters, was among those shut yesterday.