Santiago de Compostela Airport in northwest Spain shuts down next week for over a month, cancelling all flights and disrupting travel for thousands of UK passengers.

Airport Closure Details

The facility closes from April 23 to May 27, 2026, to complete essential runway resurfacing works valued in the millions. No takeoffs or landings occur during this period, halting all air traffic completely.

Aena, the Spanish airport operator, confirms on its website: “The airport will be closed from 23 April to 27 May 2026 for runway resurfacing works.” The notice adds: “During this period, the airport will be closed to all air traffic, and no takeoffs or landings will take place.” Travelers should contact their airline for flight status updates, schedule changes, or rebooking options.

Impact on UK Travelers

Around 30 weekly flights connect the UK to Santiago de Compostela Airport, departing from London Stansted, London Gatwick, and London Heathrow. Airlines operating these routes include Vueling, Ryanair, Iberia, and British Airways.

With each plane carrying an average of 180 passengers, approximately 5,400 UK travelers face disruptions weekly. Other key destinations from the airport serve Spanish cities like Barcelona and Madrid.

Lufthansa Pilot Strikes Escalate Disruptions

UK holidaymakers encounter additional challenges from pilot strikes at Lufthansa and its subsidiaries, including Lufthansa Cargo, Lufthansa CityLine, and Eurowings. The Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) pilots’ union announces action starting April 16, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. local time and ending April 17, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

Flights from German airports during this window face cancellations, with ripple effects possible at multiple British airports. VC’s statement exempts services to Middle East destinations amid regional tensions: Azerbaijan, Egypt, Bahrain, Iraq, Israel, Yemen, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.