Santiago-Rosalia de Castro Airport in northern Spain will close from 23 April to 27 May 2026 for runway resurfacing works, grounding all flights and affecting hundreds of travellers during the May half-term holiday. Airport operator Aena confirmed the closure dates and that the airport will be completely off-limits to all air traffic, with no take-offs or landings permitted. The closure is expected to affect hundreds of flights, particularly during the May half-term holiday when many families travel. Aena advised passengers to contact their airlines for information about flight status, schedule changes, or rebooking options.
Santiago-Rosalia de Castro Airport is the busiest airport in Galicia and the second-busiest across northern Spain. Airlines operating from the airport include British Airways, Ryanair, and Vueling. The closure will disrupt services for these carriers and their passengers, though specific flights affected have not yet been announced.
In addition to the Santiago closure, ground staff at 12 major Spanish airports have been on indefinite strike since 30 March. Workers from Groundforce and Menzies are striking over an unresolved pay disagreement. According to Aena, partial work stoppages will take place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays during three time slots: 5-7am, 11am-5pm, and 10pm-midnight. The affected airports include Barcelona, Madrid, Alicante, Palma, Ibiza, Malaga, and the Canary Islands. Passengers have been advised to check with their airlines for flight status updates.
Airlines UK has warned that passengers may face significant disruptions due to the combination of airport closures, strikes, and rising fuel costs. The war in Iran has doubled the price of jet fuel, adding further pressure on the aviation industry. Travellers are urged to stay informed and plan accordingly.