Santiago de Compostela Airport to Close This Spring: Here Is What It Means for Your Trip

Santiago de Compostela Airport will be closed for five weeks this spring. Here is how UK travellers can still reach Galicia without disrupting their plans.

If you have been dreaming of cobblestone streets, Atlantic seafood, and the quiet magic of Galicia this spring, there is something you need to know before you travel. Santiago de Compostela Airport is set to close entirely from 23 April to 27 May 2026. For over five weeks, not a single flight will depart from or arrive at the airport, as Spanish airport operator Aena carries out essential runway resurfacing works. It is the kind of news that can make a well-planned holiday feel suddenly uncertain — but with the right guidance and a little flexibility, your trip to Galicia does not have to be cancelled. It simply needs to be rerouted.

The closure is entirely planned. Aena has scheduled the shutdown to carry out full runway resurfacing, infrastructure maintenance that requires all air traffic to stop completely for the works to proceed safely. The airport is due to reopen at the end of May 2026, ahead of the peak summer season. For those travelling in June and beyond, there is no cause for concern.​​​​​​​

The disruption is considerable. Around 30 flights per week operate between the UK and Santiago de Compostela, departing from London Heathrow, London Gatwick, and London Stansted. British Airways, Ryanair, Iberia, and Vueling all serve these routes. Based on the average aircraft capacity of around 180 passengers, estimates suggest that up to 5,400 British travellers per week face cancellations during the closure, with the total number across five weeks likely running into the tens of thousands.​​​​​​​

Act quickly. Log in to your airline account, check your booking status, and contact your carrier directly. Under UK passenger rights regulations, airlines are legally required to offer you either a refund or an alternative flight. Do not wait to be contacted — in a disruption involving multiple carriers at once, being proactive will always lead to a faster resolution. If your holiday was booked as a package, you may have additional protections under UK package travel regulations. Also, review your travel insurance policy, as costs such as accommodation changes, alternative transport, and pre-booked excursions may be covered.

Santiago de Compostela has been drawing travellers for over a thousand years, and a closed airport is not going to change that. The city is home to one of Europe's most extraordinary cathedrals, a UNESCO-listed old town of granite archways and centuries-old squares, and the celebrated endpoint of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. Spring is a genuinely lovely time to visit — temperatures are mild, crowds are manageable, and Galicia's outstanding food scene, from fresh Atlantic seafood to crisp Albariño wines, makes every meal an experience in itself.

A temporary airport closure is frustrating, but it is not the end of your Galicia adventure. Act quickly on your booking, explore your alternatives, and do not let a logistical hurdle stand between you and one of Europe's most memorable destinations.

The Crystal Travel team is ready to help you rebook with confidence and make sure your spring trip goes exactly as it should.