Naples Airport will close to all air traffic throughout November to allow a €30 million renovation of its runway, taxiways and essential airport lighting systems, forcing airlines to divert flights to other airports and passengers to make alternative travel arrangements.
The month-long closure is part of a major infrastructure project designed to improve the safety, reliability and long-term operation of the airport, one of Italy’s busiest aviation gateways. The work will focus on the existing runway and connecting taxiways, which are used by aircraft when taking off, landing and moving between different parts of the airport.
The renovation will also involve replacing and modernising the airport’s visual aids lighting (AVL) systems. These include runway and taxiway lights, as well as illuminated signals that help pilots navigate safely around the airport. The systems are particularly important during take-offs and landings in poor visibility, making their modernisation an important part of the wider safety programme.
The project is estimated to cost approximately €30 million. Airport authorities have scheduled the closure for November, a period that typically experiences lower passenger traffic than the busy summer travel season. Construction work will continue around the clock, seven days a week, in an effort to complete the upgrades within the planned timeframe and limit the overall disruption.
For passengers travelling to Naples and the surrounding Campania region, the closure means that flights normally using Naples Airport will need to be rearranged. Some airlines are expected to transfer operations to Salerno Costa d’Amalfi and Cilento Airport, providing an alternative gateway for travellers visiting southern Italy.
Salerno Airport already serves a number of domestic and international routes. Airlines operating services from the airport include Ryanair, easyJet and Vueling, with connections to several Italian cities, including Bergamo, Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate, Genoa, Turin and Trieste.
International connections also link Salerno with destinations such as Amsterdam, Barcelona, Casablanca, Dubai, Dusseldorf, Madrid, Paris, Sharm el-Sheikh and Stuttgart. These routes offer alternative travel options for some passengers, although travellers should check directly with their airlines to confirm which services will operate during the Naples closure.
The airport shutdown is also expected to place additional pressure on transport links between Naples and Salerno. To accommodate passengers travelling between the two cities, additional bus services will operate throughout November between Naples Piazza Garibaldi and Salerno Airport.
Rail connections are also being strengthened, with more services planned for Salerno railway station. Existing transport routes connecting the area with Potenza, Eboli, Battipaglia and the Amalfi Coast are expected to continue operating as normal.
Passengers who prefer private transport will also have another option. A shared taxi service with fixed fares has been introduced on a trial basis to provide connections between Salerno Airport and two major railway stations. One route will link the airport with Naples Central railway station, while the other will serve Salerno Central railway station.
For anyone planning to visit Naples, the Amalfi Coast or other destinations in southern Italy during November, the closure will require additional attention when arranging flights and onward transport. Travellers with existing bookings should contact their airlines to establish whether their departure or arrival airport has changed, rather than assuming that their original itinerary will remain the same.
The availability of alternative flights through Salerno, together with additional bus, rail and shared taxi services, is intended to keep the region accessible while the work takes place. However, passengers should allow extra time for transfers and check their transport arrangements before travelling.
