The airport authority announced the complete shutdown for runway resurfacing work, stating that during this period, the airport will be closed to all air traffic, and no takeoffs or landings will take place. This closure directly impacts the airport's significant operations, as it serves 3.2 million passengers annually, making it the second busiest airport in Northern Spain. Major airlines operating flights to Santiago-Rosalía de Castro include Vueling, Ryanair, Iberia, and British Airways, with the airport handling 30 flights per week from the UK. Based on calculations using these flight volumes and an average of 180 passengers per plane, the cancellations are expected to impact over 5,000 Brits.
Travelers affected by the closure have alternative airport options, though availability may be limited. A Coruña (Alvedro) Airport is a 50-minute drive from Santiago-Rosalía de Castro and serves as an alternative, with some international routes. Vigo Airport, located further south, is another potential diversion point. However, it remains unclear how many alternative flights are available from UK airports to A Coruña or Vigo during the closure period, and airlines have not yet announced specific rebooking or compensation policies for affected passengers.
We don't expect any near-term fuel shortages, but the situation is fluid. At present our fuel suppliers can guarantee supply to mid-end May.
Beyond the immediate closure, airlines are assessing broader operational risks from geopolitical tensions. According to reports, EasyJet passengers could face flight cancellations due to jet fuel cost surges from Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, though the current status of the Strait of Hormuz closure and its direct impact on global fuel supplies is uncertain. According to EasyJet boss Kenton Jarvis, the airline has visibility on fuel supply to the middle of May. EasyJet insists it has no concerns about fuel supply.
Ryanair has provided a similar assessment, with a spokesperson describing the situation as fluid. According to Metro - Main, Ryanair spokesperson described that the airline does not expect near-term fuel shortages, with fuel suppliers guaranteeing supply to mid-end May. However, the spokesperson also noted that if the closure of the Strait of Hormuz continues into May or June, Ryanair cannot rule out risks to fuel supplies. This cautious outlook reflects the interconnected challenges facing air travel, where infrastructure maintenance and geopolitical instability both threaten passenger disruptions.
If the closure of the Hormuz Straits continues into May or June then we cannot rule out risks to fuel supplies.