Santiago-Rosalia de Castro Airport (SCQ) in northern Spain will close from 23 April to 27 May 2026 for runway resurfacing, airport manager Aena announced. The closure, part of a €31 million infrastructure upgrade, will halt all air traffic for over a month, causing significant disruption for British travellers during the May half-term holiday.
During the closure, the airport will be completely off-limits to all air traffic, with no take-offs or landings permitted, according to Aena. The closure is one of the largest interventions since the construction of the passenger terminal, the airport manager said. The €31 million upgrade is led by Aena, which operates the airport.
The closure is expected to cause considerable disruption during the May half-term holiday, according to multiple reports. Around 30 UK-bound flights arrive at the airport each week, potentially affecting 4,500 British travellers, major media sources reported. Airlines operating from the airport include British Airways, Ryanair, and Vueling, according to two sources, though some reports also mention Iberia as an operator, creating uncertainty for travellers.
Passengers affected by the closure can consider alternative airports. A Coruña (LCG) and Vigo (VGO) airports are about two hours away by bus or one hour by private transfer, according to research from three sources. Vigo Airport is approximately 90 km south of Santiago de Compostela, though some sources cite a distance of 61 miles (about 98 km). Porto Airport in Portugal is another option, with a journey to Santiago taking about 2.5 hours by car or 4.5 hours by public transport, according to research. Other alternatives include Lisbon (LIS), Madrid (MAD), and Barcelona (BCN), according to two sources. Trains to these airports are operated by Renfe, and buses by ALSA and Flixbus, according to research.
Passengers 'can forget your holidays' due to jet fuel prices and other issues.
Santiago de Compostela is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the final destination of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route, according to multiple reports. The closure may impact the pilgrimage season, though specific effects are not yet known.
Adding to travel chaos, ground staff at 12 major Spanish airports have been on indefinite strike since 30 March over pay, according to Aena. Striking workers are from Groundforce and Menzies, according to two sources. Partial work stoppages occur on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays during three time slots, Aena reported. It is unclear whether the strike will affect flights to and from alternative airports during the Santiago closure.
Airlines UK, a trade body, has warned that passengers 'can forget your holidays' due to jet fuel prices and other issues, according to an official statement. The letter from Airlines UK urges an overhaul of rules on passenger duty, night flights, and compensation, according to ITV News. The broader travel disruptions highlight ongoing challenges for the aviation industry.
Several unknowns remain. It is not yet known what specific measures airlines are taking to rebook or compensate affected passengers. The exact list of airlines affected by the closure is unclear due to conflicting reports. There are no announced shuttle services or special transport arrangements between Santiago and alternative airports. The impact of the ground staff strike on alternative airports during the closure period is also uncertain.