Travelers passing through Norway’s busiest airports on February 21, 2026, found themselves facing a day of uncertainty, frustration, and logistical headaches. Oslo Airport (Gardermoen), Bergen Airport (Flesland), and Stavanger Airport (Sola) were all swept up in a wave of flight cancellations and extensive delays, leaving hundreds of passengers scrambling to adapt their plans.
According to data sourced from FlightAware and reported by multiple outlets, the scale of the disruption was significant: a total of 14 flights were canceled and 152 flights delayed across the three major airports. Oslo Airport, Norway’s central international gateway, bore the brunt of the chaos, with 10 cancellations and over 100 delayed departures. Bergen and Stavanger, though smaller, were not spared—Bergen reported 2 cancellations and 34 delays, while Stavanger had 2 cancellations and 18 delays.
The operational difficulties were concentrated among certain carriers, particularly SAS Link and Scandinavian Airlines (SAS). At Oslo Airport, SAS Link recorded 7 cancellations and 7 delays, while mainline SAS was responsible for 3 cancellations and 23 delays. This concentration of issues within the SAS group, as noted by the reporting from El-Balad and Economy Class and Beyond, points to localized challenges, possibly related to fleet management or crew scheduling. Other airlines, including Lufthansa, KLM, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Norwegian Air Sweden, Wideroe’s Flyveselskap A/s, and LOT Polish Airlines, also faced delays, though the bulk of cancellations were attributed to SAS and its regional affiliate.
For travelers, the experience was anything but routine. One passenger, chronicling their journey on Economy Class and Beyond, described a four-hour layover at Oslo Airport while switching from Turkish Airlines to SAS. After a long haul from Istanbul, the traveler was stamped into the European Union and had their biometrics captured—again, despite the presence of the EES system, which is supposedly designed to avoid repeated data collection. “I thought the point of EES was to capture biometrics once and done, and not constantly redoing it? Never mind,” the traveler mused, capturing the exasperation felt by many.
Baggage woes added to the stress. With a sea of nearly identical black suitcases on the carousel, the traveler relied on an AirTag to identify their bag. “I need to be more creative with bag colour choices – or add Hello Kitty Duct tape on it next time,” they joked, lightening the mood amid the airport’s tense atmosphere. Security screening proved another hurdle, as a densely packed backpack prompted a full inspection and repacking session. “What a fun way to spend time in-transit,” the writer quipped, echoing the collective sighs of many.
Despite the disruptions, travelers found ways to adapt. The same passenger managed to change their seat assignment on the SAS app, swapping an aisle seat for a coveted window spot with an empty middle seat for the two-hour flight to London Heathrow. But the unpredictability of travel was underscored by an emergency phone call from the UK, which forced a flurry of WhatsApp messages and contingency planning. “It added an unwelcome wrinkle to the trip,” they admitted, as personal emergencies collided with the day’s broader travel chaos.
The operational disruptions had ripple effects far beyond airport terminals. As reported by El-Balad and further detailed in sector analyses, local tourism industries in Oslo, Bergen, and Stavanger took a hit. In Oslo, over 100 delayed flights meant that hundreds of visitors were late to hotels, missed dining reservations, or had to rearrange tours. Such delays can translate into lost revenue for local businesses, from taxi operators to restaurants and tour guides. Bergen, celebrated for its historic architecture and as a gateway to Norway’s iconic fjords, also felt the pinch as more than 30 delayed flights slowed the arrival of both international and domestic tourists. Stavanger’s coastal attractions, too, saw fewer timely arrivals as a result of the airport’s operational hiccups.
With the situation evolving throughout the day, airlines and airport authorities urged passengers to stay informed. Digital flight information displays (FIDS) became essential tools for those waiting in crowded terminals. For those booked with SAS or SAS Link, mobile apps and digital platforms proved invaluable for tracking rebooking options and delay notifications. “Passengers currently in transit are encouraged to stay informed by checking digital flight information displays and communicating with their airlines for updates,” advised El-Balad, emphasizing the importance of real-time information in managing uncertainty.
Under standard aviation protocols, passengers impacted by significant delays or cancellations may be entitled to compensation. This can include meals, access to communication facilities, or even overnight accommodation if the delay stretches into the next day. Experts recommend that travelers retain all travel-related documents—boarding passes, receipts for meals or hotels, and any correspondence with airlines—to support compensation claims. “Keeping all travel-related documents… is also advisable for those affected,” noted El-Balad, offering practical advice for those seeking redress.
As the day wore on, ground staff at all three airports worked diligently to restore normalcy. The volume of delayed flights created a challenging environment, but the focus remained on resuming regular operations as swiftly as possible. For many, patience and proactive communication were the only tools available while waiting for the skies—and schedules—to clear.
In the midst of the disruption, some travelers found small victories. One recounted the value of a €19 65-watt high-speed charger, which kept their phone powered through hours of uncertainty. “Probably the best travel investment I made,” they remarked, underscoring how even minor preparations can make a world of difference during travel turmoil.
Ultimately, the events of February 21, 2026, served as a reminder of the fragility of modern air travel. Operational hiccups, whether due to technical, staffing, or weather-related issues, can quickly cascade across networks, impacting not just individual journeys but entire sectors like tourism and hospitality. For those caught in the delays, flexibility, resourcefulness, and a dash of humor proved essential. As airports and airlines work to strengthen their systems, passengers—armed with apps, chargers, and perhaps a roll of Hello Kitty duct tape—will continue to navigate the highs and lows of travel in the modern age.