Flygeleder-sjefen svarer på Avinor-kritikken: – Faller på sin egen urimelighet

Avinor fly operations manager has responded to criticism from the Norwegian Aircraft Pilots Association (NFF) by denying that pilots are allowed to work 16 hours without a break. The strike led to canceled flights, closed runways and frustrated passengers at Oslo's Gardermoen Airport on Sunday, and more closures are expected in the coming week.

The core of the dispute, according to striking pilots, is about breaks. Even though they are well compensated for their work, with a wage of 1.7 million kroner, they are not receiving enough breaks. However, Avinor has strongly criticized NFF, claiming that it "simply is not true" that pilots can work 16 hours without a break. NFF leader Robert Gjønnes stands firm on his position, asserting that the criticism is directed at lone pilots on duty, not the larger "units" with multiple staff members.

Gjønnes emphasizes that the issue is about pilots who are alone on duty, not the largest units where multiple staff members are working simultaneously. He points out that the majority of "units" where pilots work have either some or all of the work done alone, and that this includes continuously listening to frequencies, observing the airspace and mountainous areas, and reporting the weather every half-hour.

Gjønnes argues that this means they cannot take breaks while working. He also points out that the 16-hour shifts are not the main issue, as he has previously criticized the lack of breaks for drivers who can work up to 16 hours before taking a 45-minute break. Gjønnes refers to EU regulations, which are implemented in Norwegian law, defining breaks as "a rest period within the service period during which a pilot is not required to perform any tasks."

Gjønnes believes the employer's stance is "simply an exaggeration" to divert attention from the real issue. He denies that the 16-hour shifts are the main concern, stating that it would be equally unacceptable if a pilot sat for seven or eight hours without a break.