The airport will be closed for a month to complete necessary renovations (Picture: Getty Images)
A popular Spanish airport operating 30 flights from the UK each week is set to close for a month due to runway resurfacing work.
Santiago-Rosalía de Castro Airport – which is sometimes known as Santiago de Compostela Airport – serves 3.2 million passengers every year, making it the second busiest airport in Northern Spain.
The airport, located in Galicia, has announced that it would be closing its doors from tomorrow Thursday, April 23 to Wednesday, May 27, stating on its website that: ‘During this period, the airport will be closed to all air traffic, and no takeoffs or landings will take place.’
Currently, major airlines such as Vueling, Ryanair, and Iberia all operate flights to Santiago-Rosalía de Castro, meaning a number of holidaymakers could be impacted by the cancellations.
Galicia, sometimes referred to as the ‘Cornwall of Spain’ due to its rugged coastline and vast green spaces, has become increasingly popular with Brits over the last few years.
Over 5,000 Brits will likely be affected by the closure (Picture: Getty Images)
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With 30 flights a week from the UK, and given the fact that most commercial planes carry an average of 180 passengers, these cancellations mean over 5,000 Brits will be impacted.
The airport is currently encouraging any customers who’re concerned about either flight status, schedule changes, or possible rebooking, to contact their airline.
Are there alternative airports nearby?
If you’re planning a trip to the region, you’ll be happy to hear that there are alternative airports you can fly to.
For example, A Coruña (LCG), also known as Alvedro airport, is a key regional airport just a 50 minute drive away from Santiago-Rosalía de Castro.
While it typically handles domestic traffic, there are a few select international routes available.
If you’re still keen to spend the first week of May soaking up some Spanish rays, you could fly from London Heathrow to Alvedro for £189.
Your other option is Vigo airport, slightly further south. If you’re prepared to perhaps take a longer car journey to your final destination, a flight from Luton to Vigo will only cost £141.
Galicia has become a popular tourist destinations in Europe (Picture: Getty Images)
This won’t be the only aviation news bringing Brits stress this week.
A few days ago, easyJet passengers learned they could face flight cancellations as jet fuel costs surge to unprecedented levels following Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Boss Kenton Jarvis told media outlets: ‘We have visibility to the middle of May.’
While the budget carrier insists ‘we have no concerns’, it’s unlikely to do much to quell travellers’ fears, given that ‘mid-May’ is just four weeks away.
Ryanair shared a similar sentiment earlier this month.
A spokesperson told Metro: ‘We don’t expect any near-term fuel shortages, but the situation is fluid. At present our fuel suppliers can guarantee supply to mid-end May.’
However, they also warned: ‘If the closure of the Hormuz Straits continues into May or June then we cannot rule out risks to fuel supplies.’
Brits are waking up to the ‘unique region’ of Galicia
While the closure of Santiago-Rosalía de Castro Airport may act as a bit of a bump in the road, it shouldn’t put you off visiting Galicia – a special corner of Northern Spain that is quickly becoming one of Brits’ favourite Summer spots.
Just 20 minutes from the airport is Santiago de Compostela City, famously the final destination of the Camino de Santiago, an iconic ancient pilgrimage.
But there is more to Galicia than its capital.
Visit the Cíes Islands, famously known as the ‘islands of the Gods’, for deep-blue seas and beachy beauty. In fact, one of the area’s biggest pulls is Rodas Beach, named one of the best 50 beaches in the world.
Or, why not check out Pontevedra. With its Renaissance and Baroque architecture, visitors say exploring the narrow streets of Pontevedra feels like ‘stepping back in time.’
Galicia could just become your new favourite Eurosummer destination.
The area has a lot to offer, from scenery to incredible culture (Picture: Getty Images)
This article was first published on April 17 and has been updated.
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