A technical error paralyzed air traffic over southern Norway. The airspace was closed, and almost all planes were on the ground.
Published: 25/04/2024 07:21 | Updated: 25/04/2024 09:52
On Thursday morning, Norway woke up to an unusual phenomenon: There was hardly a plane in the air over southern Norway.
The reason was that Avinor had problems with two communication systems at the Oslo Control Center.
After several hours without air traffic, Avinor stated that the error had been corrected at 09.40. The airspace is gradually being opened to traffic, but passengers must expect delays throughout the day.
Major delays are still expected in air traffic on Thursday. The problems will spread to other parts of the country.
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Error resolved
– Now the error has been found and solved and we will now open up for air traffic continuously, says Cathrine Framholt, communications manager at Avinor.
– What was the mistake?
– It was a technical error without my having the knowledge to say anything about what it is right now, says Framholt, who also does not know whether the error is a weakness that could again affect air traffic in the future.
Avinor will provide an update on the technical reasons when they have a clearer picture. Framholt is aware that the delays this morning will affect air traffic throughout the day.
– There have been many cancellations and other flights severely delayed. There are also some who have received later tickets. The airlines will inform when the flights leave and I imagine we will have a lot more information in the next half hour. Air traffic is a big puzzle and mistakes are propagated, but now many travelers are getting off, says Framholt.
A number of cancellations
The problems have led to a number of cancellations.
In Norwegian, they have canceled at least 40 flights, without having the opportunity to put in new planes.
– We rebook passengers as best we can, says Communications Advisor at Norwegian Eline Hyggen Skari
SAS says that they expect significant delays throughout the day.
– We expect many delays, but no SAS aircraft has been diverted or landed elsewhere, says Joachim Sponheim, SAS spokesperson.
Challenges with the communication systems
It was therefore a problem with the communication systems that caused the planes to stand still. Avinor rules out that it could be due to a data breach.
The fault must lie in the control centres.
Oslo Control Center at Røyken is one of Norway’s three aviation control centers and covers southern Norway together with Stavanger Control Center in Sola. But Sola will have the same problems as you have at Røyken.
Although commercial traffic is paralyzed, the air ambulance could still fly.
– It should not affect us. We have the opportunity to fly when there is a need for it, says press manager Per Håkon Solberg at Norwegian Air Ambulance.
Risk of missing out on confirmation
Henning Andre Raab, his wife Ingrid Raab and Oscar should have flown on an SAS flight to Dublin at 10.10.
That plane probably won’t leave. It hasn’t been officially canceled yet, so they’re going through security and hoping the flight will go.
However, the couple is prepared that it will not work. In that case, it will be to get in the car and drive home to Oslo.
– It is very boring. There are no other flights we can take to reach the confirmation at 14. We’re probably a bit late, but our son didn’t get any more time off from school, they say.
