Major Italian airport closes for the whole of November

No flights will operate for the whole of November (Picture: Getty Images) If you have a flight booked to Italy over the next few weeks, you may want to change your plans, as one major airport will be closed for the whole of November. Naples International Airport is shutting its doors to all air traffic for the entire month for a ‘radical’ €30 million (£25 million) revamp. Flights to six domestic destinations and nine international — operated by airlines like Ryanair, easyJet and Vueling — will be impacted by the project, undertaken in an effort to improve safety. Runway and connecting taxiways are among the elements set to be renovated at the busy transport hub, which handles over 13 million passengers annually. As part of the works, visual aids lighting (AVL) systems, including thesignalling systems vital for aircraft take-off, landing and taxiing, are also getting an upgrade. The airport said on its website: ‘Naples Airport will be closed in November 2026 for radical and scheduled runway renovation work, in compliance with rigorous industry regulations and in line with GESAC’s priority commitment to ensuring the highest safety standards.’ November is a less busy month for the airport (Picture: Getty Images) Because November is typically a quieter month for the airport, with monthly passenger traffic in Italian airports dropping to 15.54 million in 2025, compared to 22.47 million in September and a peak of 24.39 million in August. As such, work will continue 24 hours a day, seven days a week to try and minimise long-term disruption. However, passengers with upcoming trips will need to navigate alternative routes. How are flights and travel affected? Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. Many airlines are temporarily moving operations to Salerno Costa d’Amalfi Airport about an hour’s drive away, with connections to 15 domestic and international destinations transferred here. To handle the influx, special bus services in both directions and bus frequency has also been increased between Salerno Airport and Salerno railway station. Connections to Salerno railway station have been stepped up too, while a trial shared taxi service with fixed fares is operating between Salerno Airport, Naples Central, and Salerno Central stations. Salerno-Costa D’Amalfi Airport will host some of the flights (Picture: Getty Images) What if I have a flight booked? If you have a trip planned, PayingTooMuch travel money expert Hannah Mayfield shares her advice on what to do. Contact your airline or travel company ‘Because the closure was announced in advance, your airline should offer you a refund or an alternative route,’ Hannah tells Metro. ‘You won’t usually be entitled to extra compensation when you’re given more than two weeks’ notice, but you shouldn’t be left out of pocket for a flight that can’t operate. There are extra protections available if you’ve booked a package holiday however, as when a provider makes changes to your trip you can either accept the new arrangements or cancel for a full refund. Check your booking ‘Some airlines have moved flights to Salerno airport, about 60km southeast of Naples,’ says Hannah. ‘So, check your booking for the airport you’re flying to and plan your transfer before you travel.’ Don’t rely on insurance Hannah warns: ‘Most policies won’t cover disruption from an event that was publicly announced before you bought your cove, so check your policy wording or call your provider.’ Check your insurance before flying (Picture: Shutterstock / megaflopp) She adds: ‘Don’t forget to keep your insurer updated if your travel plans change. If your trip’s dates or route change, tell your provider straight away so they can update your policy. ‘All policies vary, so check what you’re covered for. When buying a policy, it’s a good idea to compare travel insurance cover limits to find what’s important to you and your specific trip.’ Refunds versus compensation Vix Leyton, consumer finance expert at thinkmoney, stresses the importance of knowing the difference between a refund and compensation. ‘A planned airport closure isn’t likely to mean an extra compensation payout, but that doesn’t mean airlines can simply shrug their shoulders and leave you stranded,’ she tells Metro. ‘Your rights to rerouting, refunds and appropriate assistance are a separate matter.’ She recommends becoming ‘the sort of person who keeps receipts; every taxi, every additional hotel night, every email confirming a change. Our Top Shopping Picks QVC shoppers can save £159 on Elemis' biggest beauty gift set of the year This Hoover vacuum is a game-changer for pet owners and muddy homes See London's Christmas lights from an open-top double-decker bus this winter My skin always suffers when the heating goes on but this serum changed that The skincare formula that finally took the guesswork out of my routine ‘It might not feel particularly glamorous, but neither is spending £150 on a transfer that someone else should have paid for,’ Vix adds. ‘Ask questions before accepting changes, and don’t let the inconvenience become an expensive mistake.’ Do you have a story you’d like to share? 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