Santiago de Compostela’s Rosalía de Castro Airport has closed for five weeks to allow major runway renovation works, disrupting travel to one of Spain’s most visited pilgrimage destinations during the peak spring season.
Spain’s airport operator AENA shut the airport, known by its IATA code SCQ, on 23 April 2026. No flights will arrive or depart until 27 May 2026, when the facility is expected to reopen ahead of the summer season.
Why the airport has closed
The 35-day closure covers a complete resurfacing of the airport’s 3,200-metre runway, along with upgrades to lighting and drainage systems. AENA has invested between 26 million and 31 million euros in the project. The works are too extensive to complete during overnight hours, requiring a full shutdown of all operations.
Airlines serving Santiago de Compostela from the UK include British Airways, Ryanair, Vueling and Iberia. Approximately 30 flights per week depart to the city from London Stansted, London Heathrow and London Gatwick, meaning the closure affects around 150 scheduled departures over the five-week period.
Who is affected
The timing of the closure falls during the busiest weeks of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage season, when tens of thousands of walkers from across Europe and beyond converge on the city. British holidaymakers, package tourists and independent travellers with bookings touching SCQ between 23 April and 27 May will need to make alternative arrangements.
Passengers who booked package holidays including flights to Santiago during the closure window are entitled to an alternative flight or a full refund under the UK Package Travel Regulations 2018 and the EU Package Travel Directive. Travellers on standalone flights should contact their airline directly.
Alternative airports
AENA and travel operators have identified four main alternatives for passengers seeking to reach Santiago de Compostela during the closure period.
- A Coruña Airport (LCG) is the closest option, located approximately 70 kilometres north of the city. It offers daily services to Madrid and Barcelona, with trains and buses to Santiago taking around one hour.
- Vigo Airport (VGO) sits around 90 kilometres south of the city and connects to Madrid, Barcelona and Lisbon. Regular rail and bus services link Vigo to Santiago in approximately 90 minutes.
- Porto Airport (OPO) in northern Portugal is around 220 kilometres from Santiago and serves as a major international hub with extensive low-cost and long-haul connections. Ground travel from Porto to Santiago takes between three and four hours by bus or train.
- Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) offers the widest range of international connections and is linked to Santiago by high-speed rail services.
Reopening and future outlook
The airport is scheduled to reopen on 27 May 2026, in time for the summer peak. United Airlines has separately announced a new non-stop seasonal service between Newark, New York, and Santiago de Compostela from summer 2026, marking the first direct transatlantic connection between the United States and Galicia. The new route will operate three times a week using a Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.
Travellers with upcoming bookings are advised to check directly with their airline or tour operator for the latest rebooking options.
Photo Credit: joserpizarro / Shutterstock.com
