Major Spanish airport closes for 5 weeks with all flights cancelled

The airport will be closed for a month to complete necessary renovations (Picture: Getty Images)

A popular Spanish airport operating 30 flights from the UK each week has closed for a month due to runway resurfacing work.

Santiago-Rosalía de Castro Airport – which is sometimes known as Santiago de Compostela Airport – serves 3.2 million passengers every year, making it the second busiest airport in Northern Spain.

The airport, located in Galicia, officially closed its doors on Thursday, April 23, with plans to reopen on Wednesday, May 27. A statement on its website reads: ‘During this period, the airport will be closed to all air traffic, and no takeoffs or landings will take place.’

Currently, major airlines such as Vueling, Ryanair, and Iberia all operate flights to Santiago-Rosalía de Castro, meaning a number of holidaymakers could be impacted by the cancellations.

Galicia, sometimes referred to as the ‘Cornwall of Spain’ due to its rugged coastline and vast green spaces, has become increasingly popular with Brits over the last few years.

Over 5,000 Brits will likely be affected by the closure (Picture: Getty Images)

With 30 flights a week from the UK, and given the fact that most commercial planes carry an average of 180 passengers, these cancellations mean over 5,000 Brits will be impacted.

The airport has been encouraging any customers who’re concerned about either flight status, schedule changes, or possible rebooking, to contact their airline.

Are there alternative airports nearby?

If you’re planning a trip to the region, you’ll be happy to hear that there are alternative airports you can fly to.

For example, A Coruña (LCG), also known as Alvedro airport, is a key regional airport just a 50 minute drive away from Santiago-Rosalía de Castro.

Galicia has become a popular tourist destinations in Europe (Picture: Getty Images)

While it typically handles domestic traffic, there are a few select international routes available.

If you’re still keen to spend the first week of May soaking up some Spanish rays, you could fly from London Heathrow to Alvedro for £189.

Your other option is Vigo airport, slightly further south. If you’re prepared to perhaps take a longer car journey to your final destination, a flight from Luton to Vigo will only cost £141.

In other aviation news, an airport in the UK is shutting down for good – described by locals as a ‘real shame.’

Coventry Airport will see its final flight departing in just a few weeks.

The airport in the West Midlands, which is set to officially close next month, was once a handy hub for travellers in the area, with Wizz Air flying to various European destinations, including Poland to Italy, until 2008.

These days though, the air traffic to Coventry is a little quieter, serving just the Air Ambulance Service and private charter flights.

And now, after 90 years, it is set to close its doors on June 11, 2026, to allow the construction of a battery gigafactory.

All aviation operations will stop for good on June 10, 2026, bringing an end to Coventry Airport’s long aviation history.

Isabella Boneham said on X: ‘I think Coventry Airport closing is a real shame — not only for the city and its history, but for travel in the West Midlands.’

‘Once an airport, always an airport. Part of our history will be lost again. Leave it as it is and attract more airlines,’ added Coventry Live reader Ivorquestion1.

This article was first published on April 17, 2026 and has been updated.

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