Naples International Airport, one of Italy's busiest gateways, will suspend all air traffic for the whole of November to carry out a €30 million renovation of its runway and connecting taxiways. The project is designed to strengthen the long-term safety, reliability, and operational continuity of the existing infrastructure, according to airport officials.
The work will also involve replacing and modernising the airport's visual aids lighting (AVL) systems, which include runway and taxiway lights and illuminated signalling. These are essential for guiding aircraft during take-off, landing, and taxiing, particularly in poor visibility conditions.
Why November?
The closure is scheduled for a month that typically sees fewer flights than the peak summer season. To minimise disruption further, the renovation will be carried out continuously, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, compressing the timeline as much as possible.
For travellers heading to the Campania region, several airlines will transfer their operations to the nearby Salerno Costa d'Amalfi and Cilento airports. Carriers such as Ryanair, easyJet, and Vueling will operate flights to and from Italian cities including Bergamo, Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate, Genoa, Turin, and Trieste.
International connections from Salerno will serve Amsterdam, Barcelona, Casablanca, Dubai, Düsseldorf, Madrid, Paris, Sharm el-Sheikh, and Stuttgart. This shift is expected to keep the region accessible, albeit with a longer transfer to Naples itself.
Getting to and from Salerno
To handle the extra strain, additional bus services will run between Naples Piazza Garibaldi and Salerno Airport throughout November. Services to Salerno railway station will also be increased, while existing routes to Potenza, Eboli, Battipaglia, and the Amalfi Coast will continue as usual.
For those who prefer not to rely on public transport, a shared taxi service with fixed fares has been introduced on a trial basis. It will cover two routes: one from Salerno Airport to Naples Central railway station, and the other from Salerno Airport to Salerno Central railway station.
The closure comes as Italy continues to invest in its transport infrastructure, a theme echoed across the continent. For instance, Greenland's new airport at Ilulissat recently opened, marking a milestone in Arctic connectivity. Meanwhile, November 2026 in Europe will see a range of events and openings, though Naples' shutdown is likely to be the most significant for air travellers.
Passengers with bookings affected by the closure are advised to contact their airlines directly for rebooking options. The airport has promised to keep the public informed of any changes to the schedule as the work progresses.
While the temporary inconvenience may frustrate some, the upgrade is expected to enhance the airport's capacity and safety for years to come, a crucial step for a region that relies heavily on tourism and business travel.
