Santiago de Compostela Airport closure cancels Ryanair and British Airways flights for five weeks

Disruption overview

Santiago de Compostela Airport in Galicia will close completely from 23 April 2026 to 27 May 2026 for runway resurfacing and infrastructure work, forcing airlines including Ryanair and British Airways to cancel flights for the full five-week period. With no departures or arrivals allowed during the shutdown, more than 25,000 passengers could be affected.

A Coruña Airport and Vigo Airport are being used as the main alternatives, but both have smaller international networks, so many travelers may face longer transfers or extra connections. Because the closure is outside the airlines' control, compensation under EC 261 is usually unlikely, although airlines should still offer rerouting or refunds and provide care if you're left waiting.

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Disruption details

Santiago de Compostela Airport in Galicia, Spain, will close completely from 23 April 2026 to 27 May 2026 for runway resurfacing and other infrastructure work, forcing airlines including Ryanair and British Airways to cancel flights for more than five weeks. For passengers, that means no departures or arrivals at the airport during the closure, rather than shorter rolling restrictions.

Aena has confirmed that no take-offs or landings will be allowed during the shutdown. Because the airport is closing in full, every airline serving Santiago de Compostela Airport has had to suspend or cancel services until the work is finished.

Ryanair and British Airways are among the airlines most exposed, with around 30 weekly flights normally linking Santiago de Compostela with the United Kingdom, Ireland, and domestic destinations across Spain. Passengers are being offered refunds or rerouting where capacity allows, but availability is already tightening.

What this means in practice:

• No flights can depart from or arrive at Santiago de Compostela Airport between 23 April 2026 and 27 May 2026.

• Ryanair and British Airways schedules are being pulled for the full period of the works.

• More than 25,000 passengers could be affected before the airport reopens.

The disruption is likely to be felt far beyond the airport itself. Many travelers who would usually fly through Santiago de Compostela will now need to look at A Coruña Airport or Vigo Airport instead, both of which sit within 100 km of Santiago and are being used as the main alternatives.

That won't be simple for everyone. Both alternative airports have much smaller international networks, so you may be facing a longer transfer by road, fewer direct options, or an extra connection to complete your journey.

Airlines have already warned that seats from A Coruña and Vigo are filling quickly for late April and May. Aena has also cautioned that delays and higher fares are possible as demand shifts away from Santiago de Compostela.

The cause of the disruption is planned runway renovation by the airport authority, not something the airlines can control. Because of that, compensation under EC 261 is usually unlikely when flights are canceled during this closure.

That said, you still have important rights. If your flight is canceled, your airline should offer rerouting or a refund. If you're left waiting for hours or need to stay overnight, they should also provide reasonable care, including food, refreshments, accommodation, transport to that accommodation, and help with communication.

Work at Santiago de Compostela Airport is scheduled to finish on 27 May 2026, and no extension has been announced. If you're due to travel during the shutdown, it's worth keeping a close eye on updates from your airline and checking alternatives early. Although compensation is unlikely here, AirHelp's free flight checker can still help you understand what support may apply to your trip.

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