Around the World: Norway

Strike shuts 12 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 ($2.5 million) per day and said it was forced to cancel 197 flights yesterday and 500 since the strike began.

(China Daily 05/21/2008 page24)