It comes as workers at other airports announced an ‘indefinite’ walkout nationwide
Santiago-Rosalia de Castro airport in northern Spain will close until May 27(Image: Streetview)
A major Spanish airport is to shut for five weeks this spring while essential runway maintenance takes place. Santiago-Rosalia de Castro airport in northern Spain will close from 23 April to 27 May for runway resurfacing works.
Throughout this time, the airport will be shut to all air traffic, with no take-offs or landings permitted. Airport operator Aena said : “Santiago-Rosalía de Castro Airport will be closed from 23 April to 27 May 2026 for runway resurfacing works. During this period, the airport will be closed to all air traffic, and no takeoffs or landings will take place.
“If you have any questions about your flight status, schedule changes, or possible rebooking, we recommend contacting your airline.” The airport near Santiago de Compostela is the busiest airport in Galicia and the second-busiest in northern Spain.
Several airlines operate flights out of the aviation hub, including British Airways, Ryanair and Vueling, with hundreds of journeys expected to be impacted during May half-term. Elsewhere in Spain, holidaymakers face severe disruption as airport staff stage an “
The airport close to Santiago de Compostela is Galicia’s busiest and ranks as northern Spain’s second-largest. Multiple carriers fly from the hub, including British Airways, Ryanair and Vueling, with hundreds of services likely to be affected during May half-term.
In separate disruption across Spain, travellers are facing significant problems as airport workers commence an “indefinite” walkout nationwide. Ground staff have been taking industrial action at 12 major airports, including Barcelona, Madrid, Alicante, Palma, Ibiza, Malaga and the Canary Islands since 30 March. Workers from Groundforce and Menzies are striking over an unresolved pay disagreement.
Spanish airport operator Aena said in a notice: “Groundforce staff have called an indefinite strike starting 30 March. Partial work stoppages will take place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during three time slots: 5-7am, 11am-5pm, and 10pm-midnight.
“Please contact the airline to find out the status of your flight.”
Meanwhile A group representing British Airways, easyJet, Jet2, Loganair, Ryanair, TUI, UPS and Virgin Atlantic has given a stark warning to ministers about holidays this summer. According to ITV News, Airlines UK has told passengers ‘you can forget your holidays’ according to Good Morning Host Susanna Reid.
The letter which has gone to ministers and the Civil Aviation Authority calls on the government and officials to change the rules to bruing down passenger duity, allow more night flights, and also to scrap compensation for cancelled or delayed flights.
Presenter Susanna said: “You can forget about your summer holidays. That is the stark warning issued to some air passengers hoping to fly abroad this year. With the war in Iran doubling the price of jet fuel, airlines say they face having to increase fairs or cut flights altogether.”
Co host Ed Balls added: “UK operators are now calling on the government to bring in emergency measures. In a confidential letter seen by ITV News, they’re asking for help to protect fuel supplies, reduce taxes on tickets, and waive strict rules. on compensating passengers.”
ITV said airlines are urging the government to step in to protect business travel, holiday flights and freight operations from the economic fallout of the war in the Middle East. A confidential briefing document submitted to ministers and the aviation regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority, seen by ITV News, warns that if the disruption “continues or worsens,” airlines will be forced to cut flights and push up fares.
The document, from Airlines UK, which represents British Airways, easyJet, Jet2, Loganair, Ryanair, TUI, UPS and Virgin Atlantic, warns that jet fuel costs have doubled, with fuel accounting for around a third of airline operating costs.
Correspondenr Nick Dixon said: Firstly, they want to relieve or reduce air passenger duty to help bring down the cost of of travel generally and holidays during this period. Allow for night time flights to keep things moving if the schedules are disrupted and also to scrap compensation for cancelled or delayed flights caused by fuel shortages. All of that of course would have a huge impact. on passengers.
“What most passengers want to know is, will my holiday flight be affected? It may well be that if the airlines win concessions from the government that we start to see some tactical flight cancellations of what would otherwise be loss-making departures. Well, the “Department for Transport has said that it’s continuing to work with fuel suppliers, with airlines, and international counterparts on our contingency emergency planning to ensure that people keep moving and businesses are supported while the conflict is ongoing. “
The Department for Transport said: “We continue to work with fuel suppliers, airlines and international counterparts on our contingency planning, to ensure people keep moving and businesses are supported while the conflict is ongoing.”