Airport in holiday hotspot to close for a month, affecting 265,000 passengers

The airport, Santiago-Rosalía de Castro, is the second busiest airport in Northern Spain, serving 3.2 million passengers each year.

The holiday hotspot airport, located in Galicia, operates 30 flights each week from the UK.

It announced that it will close doors from April 23 to May 27.

“During this period, the airport will be closed to all air traffic, and no takeoffs or landings will take place”, it stated on its official website.

Several major airlines such as Vueling, Ryanair, Iberia and British Airways all operate flights to Santiago-Rosalía de Castro, at present.

This means that the cancellations will impact a number of British holiday-makers.

Due to its rugged coastline and vast green spaces, Galicia, which is sometimes referred to as the “Cornwall of Spain”, over the last few years has become a holiday hotspot for Brits.

The cancellations mean that over 5,000 Brits will be affected, as most commercial planes carry an average of 180 passengers and there are 30 flights a week from the UK.

Customers who’re concerned about either flight status, schedule changes, or possible rebooking should contact their airline, the airport has encouraged.

But there is good news for Brits

There are alternative airports you can fly to, if you’re planning a trip to the region from the UK.

A Coruña (LCG), also known as Alvedro airport, is a key regional airport just a 50 minute drive away from Santiago-Rosalía de Castro.

There are a few select international routes available, even if it typically handles domestic flights.

You could fly from London Heathrow to Alvedro for £189, for example if you’re still keen to spend the first week of May in the Spanish sun.

Another option, which is slightly further south, is Vigo airport.

A flight from Luton to Vigo will only cost £141, if you’re willing to take a longer car journey to your final destination, that is.