Icelandair Pilots Plan Strike Action Affecting Charter Operations from November 20

Icelandair pilots are planning an indefinite strike starting November 20, 2026, if a contract agreement is not reached with the airline. This action specifically targets overseas charter flights and does not include the airline’s regular passenger services. Passengers booked on charter or package holidays through Icelandair or Loftleiðir are advised to check with their tour operator for updates.

The pilots’ contract expired in the autumn of 2025. Negotiations have been ongoing with Iceland’s State Mediator since the spring. The pilots’ association stated that their goal is to reach an agreement, not to cause disruption. The airline announced the strike plan on November 12, 2026, noting it would have no set end date unless a deal is made.

Charter Flights vs. Scheduled Network

The planned strike action will affect passenger and cargo charter flights operated by Icelandair and Loftleiðir for other companies. Scheduled services, including the route from Akureyri to Tenerife, are not part of this strike notice. This means that customers of tour operators who use Icelandair for charter services are the most likely to be impacted. The airline has not yet provided specific numbers on how many flights or passengers might be affected.

Icelandair has stated that the strike will not directly impact its regular passenger network. The full financial consequences of the strike are also still undetermined.

Pilot Ballot Results

Jón Þór Þorvaldsson, the chairman of the Icelandic Airline Pilots Association, reported that 89.1 percent of the 621 eligible pilots participated in the vote. Of those who voted, 94 percent supported strike action if no agreement was reached. Mr. Þorvaldsson emphasized that the association’s primary objective is to secure a collective bargaining agreement.

Contract Negotiations and Disputes

The pilots’ contract expired in autumn 2025. Talks have been underway with Iceland’s State Mediator since spring, focusing on pay and concerns that work covered by Icelandic agreements might be moved overseas. The association has put forward several proposals for a settlement, including terms aligned with the general labor market, a short-term floating agreement, and a wage freeze shared by employees and management. According to the union, Icelandair rejected these proposals.

The airline had previously sent a pay proposal directly to pilots, which the union stated bypassed their bargaining committee and undermined their official role.

Concerns Over Overseas Expansion

Icelandair recently completed a 49% purchase of Fly Play Europe on October 19, 2026. This company’s subsidiary in Malta holds a Maltese air operator certificate. The pilots’ union has expressed growing concern that this expansion could lead to flying duties covered by Icelandic agreements being shifted to overseas operations. A letter from the union on November 13 highlighted concerns that the airline might seek the right to use foreign crews and gain more flexibility in crew rest rules. The union has urged pension-fund owners to seek clear information on whether work will be moved out of Iceland.

Previous Mechanics’ Dispute

The pilots’ planned strike follows a separate dispute with airline mechanics. Their walkout began on September 23, 2026, leading to the cancellation of several flights that morning. The mechanics ended their strike after the government indicated it would introduce a ban. Following this, the parties engaged in four weeks of talks, which concluded without an agreement on October 21, 2026. The mechanics’ last meeting with the State Mediator was on November 10. Icelandair reported that the mechanics’ strike resulted in a loss of $4.0 million in operating profit during its third quarter. Mechanics’ chairman Óskar Einarsson stated on November 13 that further strike action had not been ruled out.

Passengers booked on charter or package holidays should contact their tour operator directly for the latest information regarding their flights. The ongoing negotiations between the pilots and Icelandair remain the key factor in potentially preventing the planned strike action.

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