Santiago-Rosalía de Castro Airport will close from April 23 to May 27 for runway resurfacing work, according to an airport announcement. During this period, the airport will be closed to all air traffic, and no takeoffs or landings will take place, the airport authority stated. 2 million passengers annually, making it the second busiest in Northern Spain.
The closure affects major airlines operating flights to the airport, including Vueling, Ryanair, Iberia, and British Airways. The airport operates 30 flights per week from the UK, and based on 30 flights per week and an average of 180 passengers per plane, over 5,000 Brits will be impacted by the cancellations. It is not yet known how many total flights, including non-UK routes, will be canceled during the closure, nor whether airlines have officially announced specific flight cancellations or rebooking policies.
For affected passengers, alternative airports include A Coruña (Alvedro) Airport, located a 50-minute drive from Santiago-Rosalía de Castro, and Vigo Airport, slightly further south. A flight from London Heathrow to A Coruña (Alvedro) Airport costs £189, while a flight from Luton to Vigo Airport costs £141. The airport is encouraging customers concerned about flight status, schedule changes, or rebooking to contact their airline.
There are no details yet on any official travel advisories or compensation guidelines for affected passengers. Beyond the airport closure, airlines are responding to fuel supply concerns stemming from Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. EasyJet passengers could face flight cancellations due to jet fuel cost surges following the closure, according to the airline.
EasyJet has visibility to the middle of May regarding fuel supply, according to the airline. EasyJet insists it has no concerns about fuel supply, according to the airline. The exact impact on fuel prices and availability for airlines beyond mid-May remains uncertain.
Ryanair does not expect any near-term fuel shortages, but the situation is fluid, according to a Ryanair spokesperson. Ryanair's fuel suppliers can guarantee supply to mid-end May, the spokesperson described. If the closure of the Strait of Hormuz continues into May or June, Ryanair cannot rule out risks to fuel supplies, the spokesperson added.
This adds to the uncertainties for travelers and airlines during the Santiago-Rosalía de Castro Airport closure period.