A major Spanish airport is set to close for five weeks this spring while vital runway maintenance is carried out. Santiago-Rosalia de Castro airport in northern Spain will shut from 23 April to 27 May for runway resurfacing works.
During this period, the airport will be completely off-limits to all air traffic, with no take-offs or landings permitted whatsoever. Airport operator Aena confirmed: "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, situated near Santiago de Compostela, is the busiest in Galicia and the second-busiest across northern Spain. A number of airlines operate routes from the aviation hub, amongst them British Airways, Ryanair and Vueling, with hundreds of flights expected to be affected during the May half-term holiday. The closure is set to cause considerable disruption for families and travellers with plans to fly during one of the most popular holiday periods of the year.
Several carriers serve the hub, including British Airways, Ryanair and Vueling, with hundreds of services likely to be thrown into chaos during the May half-term break. In a separate blow for travellers heading to Spain, holidaymakers are facing major disruption as airport workers launch an "indefinite" walkout across the country.
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 issued a stark warning to ministers regarding this summer's holidays. According to ITV News, Airlines UK has told passengers 'you can forget your holidays' according to Good Morning host Susanna Reid. The letter, sent to ministers and the Civil Aviation Authority, urges the government and officials to overhaul existing rules to bring down passenger duty, permit more night flights, and 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 reported that airlines are pressing the government to intervene and safeguard business travel, holiday flights and freight operations from the economic consequences of the Middle East conflict. A confidential briefing document submitted to ministers and aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority, and seen by ITV News, cautions that should the disruption "continues or worsens," carriers will be left with no choice but to slash flights and hike 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. Correspondent Nick Dixon said: "Firstly, they want to relieve or reduce air passenger duty to help bring down the cost 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." 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."
