Icelandair aircraft mechanics are voting on whether to launch an indefinite strike after months of unsuccessful wage negotiations with the airline.
The ballot opened Friday and runs through the weekend, with voting due to close at noon on Monday. If members approve industrial action, the strike would begin roughly 10 days later.
What’s the Story?
- Aircraft mechanics employed by Icelandair are voting through Monday on an indefinite strike.
- Icelandair says September averages about 110 scheduled flights and 15,000 passengers a day, and warns a strike could quickly halt its flight schedule.
- The dispute has been before the state mediator since February; Icelandair says its offer matches general-market settlements while the union describes strike action as a last resort.
September disruption could be widespread
Icelandair said September remains a high-volume month, with around 110 scheduled flights and 15,000 passengers a day. The carrier warned that a walkout could quickly stop much of its schedule and affect tourism, exporters and other sectors that rely on air links.
The vote comes as the airline is already managing temporary changes to domestic flights following maintenance on one of its aircraft. Iceland’s aviation sector has also faced repeated labour disputes: air traffic controller action threatened widespread disruption last year, while separate airport strikes were averted after wage agreements in 2024.
Negotiations between Icelandair and the Aircraft Mechanics’ Association of Iceland have been under way since late last year. Icelandair and the Confederation of Icelandic Enterprise referred the dispute to the state mediator on February 13. The airline says it has gone as far as it can in its offer; union representatives say the strike ballot is an emergency measure after mechanics have been without a new agreement since the start of the year.
Read more stories covering Icelandic society, politics, business, and culture at Iceland Review News.
