An airport in Spain will be closed for over a month: what tourists should do

A popular Spanish airport is set to close for more than a month in the near future. Find out more about which flights have been canceled, how this will affect travelers, and what alternative routes are available

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One of the key transportation hubs in northern Spain—Santiago Rosalia de Castro Airport—is temporarily suspending operations. The closure will last more than a month and could significantly impact tourist traffic in the region, especially during the spring travel season.

Why is Santiago-Rosalia de Castro Airport closing?

According to Express, the airport will be completely closed from April 23 to May 27, 2026. The reason is extensive runway repairs, estimated to cost several million euros.

During this period, there will be no takeoffs or landings, and all scheduled flights will be canceled.

The closure coincides with the peak of the tourist season in the Galicia region. This particularly affects pilgrims traveling the famous Camino de Santiago route to Santiago de Compostela.

April and May are traditionally considered among the best months for this route—comfortable weather and fewer tourists than in the summer. Therefore, the restrictions may create additional difficulties for thousands of travelers.

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What should passengers do?

The Spanish airport operator Aena recommends that passengers whose flights have been canceled or changed contact their airlines directly. In most cases, carriers offer alternative routes via other airports, the option to rebook for other dates free of charge, or a refund.

Alternative airports

Those who still plan to travel to the region should consider La Coruña Airport, located approximately 64 km from Santiago de Compostela, as well as Vigo Airport, which is about 88 km away. Both options allow you to reach the city in less than an hour and a half.

The temporary closure may lead to a decrease in tourist numbers in the short term, congestion at neighboring airports, and higher ticket prices due to limited flight availability. At the same time, once the renovations are complete, the airport’s infrastructure will be more modern and safer, which will positively impact the region’s future tourism development.

If your trip involves multiple modes of transport—such as a train, bus, and plane—it’s best to organize your entire itinerary and tickets in one place ahead of time. In particular, this is convenient to do through Visit Ukraine, where a ticket booking system for all modes of transport is available.

We remind you! A new entry-exit system has been in effect in the EU since April 10, 2026. Read how the EES works, who it applies to, and what has changed for Ukrainians since April 10.

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