Spain airport closes for over a month with all flights cancelled and UK travellers face chaos

Thousands of British travellers may need to rethink their plans after a Spanish airport confirmed it will close for more than a month, with every scheduled flight suspended during major runway works. Santiago de Compostela Airport, one of the main gateways to Galicia in northern Spain, is due to close from 23 April to 27 May 2026. No aircraft will take off or land during that period, meaning passengers already booked could face cancellations, rerouting or longer journeys.

For many people, the timing could hardly be worse. Spring travel is already busy, Easter demand remains high, and the run into summer has begun.

Why Santiago de Compostela Airport is closing

Spanish airport operator Aena says the temporary shutdown is needed for resurfacing work on the runway.

That means the airport will be completely closed to air traffic while the project is carried out. Commercial flights, private aircraft and regular passenger services will all pause until the work is finished.

Large maintenance projects like this are essential for safety and long term operations, but they can still cause major disruption when an airport has no second runway or spare capacity.

In practical terms, anyone expecting to land in Santiago or depart from the city during those weeks will need another plan.

Why UK travellers are likely to feel it

Santiago de Compostela has regular links with the UK and is popular with several types of traveller.

Some head there for city breaks. Others use it as a starting point for touring Galicia. Many arrive because of the famous Camino de Santiago, with pilgrims finishing the route in the city before flying home.

Carriers operating UK connections can include Ryanair, Vueling, Iberia and British Airways, depending on route and season.

That means a significant number of British passengers may now need to rebook, accept alternative airports or request refunds.

Anyone with travel insurance should also review their cover, especially if hotels, car hire or onward transport were booked separately.

What passengers should do right now

If you are due to travel between 23 April and 27 May, check your booking today rather than waiting.

Airlines usually contact customers directly when routes are changed, but it is always better to log in and review your reservation yourself.

Some passengers may be moved automatically onto another flight. Others may need to choose between a refund, a different date or a nearby airport.

Package holiday customers should also contact their operator, particularly if transfers were included.

The earlier you act, the more options you are likely to have.

Best alternative airports for Galicia

The nearest obvious replacement is A Coruña Airport, around an hour north of Santiago by road. It is often the first alternative for travellers who still want to reach the region quickly.

Another option is Vigo Airport, to the south, also manageable by car or train depending on your itinerary.

For many UK passengers, Porto Airport in Portugal may be the most practical solution. It offers a wide range of direct UK flights and is roughly a two hour drive from Santiago.

That extra travel time may still be easier than cancelling the trip entirely.

Train and coach connections between these cities and Santiago are also available, giving visitors more flexibility.

Why people still want to go

Even with the airport closure, Santiago de Compostela remains one of Spain’s most rewarding destinations.

The city is the capital of Galicia and best known for its cathedral, old town streets and historic role as the end point of the Camino pilgrimage.

Visitors also come for the food. Galicia is famous for seafood, local produce and a more traditional style of Spanish break that feels very different from the crowded resort model.

Spring is especially popular because temperatures are mild and the city is lively without the full summer crowds.

That is why the closure is likely to disappoint so many travellers.

What passengers need to know

Your trip may still happen, but the route could change. Flights to Santiago itself will stop during the closure, so anyone travelling in that window should prepare for adjustments.

Some people will lose time, others may spend more on transfers, and many will need patience.

But Galicia remains open, the city remains there, and with a little flexibility most travellers should still be able to make the journey.

They may just land somewhere else first.