HEADING TO THE AMALFI COAST? NAPLES AIRPORT IS CLOSED ALL MONTH, HERE'S WHAT TO DO
If you have a dreamy Italian holiday booked this month, take note, because Naples airport is closed to flights for the whole of November.
Naples International Airport, also known as Capodichino, shut its doors to air traffic on 1 November while its runway is completely rebuilt.
It is expected to reopen on 1 December, and possibly a little earlier if the weather is kind to the construction crews.
For Aussies heading to Positano, Sorrento, Capri or the Amalfi Coast, it means a slight change of plan, but definitely not the end of the dream.
Why Naples Airport Is Closed
Australian industry site Travel Monitor flagged the closure in its daily travel watch list this week, citing Italian newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore.
Airport operator GESAC is working around the clock on the runway for about 24 days, with a few spare days built in for bad weather, according to local guide Trova Napoli.
Airlines have had to decide whether to move their flights to a nearby airport or cancel them altogether.
Your Alternative: Salerno Airport
Many flights have switched to Salerno Costa d'Amalfi airport, about an hour's drive south-east of Naples.
Trova Napoli reports that Salerno is handling services from carriers including easyJet, Ryanair, Vueling, Iberia, Transavia, Eurowings and flydubai this month.
That means handy connections from cities such as Milan, Barcelona, Madrid, Paris, Amsterdam and Dubai.
The good news for Amalfi lovers is that Salerno is actually closer to the famous coastline.
A bus called the Salerno Airlink takes around 40 minutes to Salerno train station, where local SITA buses continue to Amalfi and Positano.
If you need to get to Naples itself, a dedicated shuttle runs eight times a day in each direction between Salerno airport and Piazza Garibaldi, next to Naples Central Station.
The fare is €12 per person each way, paid on board by card.
Flying Into Rome Instead
Plenty of travellers from Australia connect through Rome anyway, and that is a smart workaround this month.
The Lufthansa group has suspended its Naples flights for November and is rebooking passengers via Rome Fiumicino where possible.
ITA Airways has swapped its short Rome to Naples flights for a bus.
From Fiumicino, the Leonardo Express train reaches Roma Termini in 32 minutes for €14.
High-speed Frecciarossa and Italo trains then get you to Napoli Centrale in about an hour and ten minutes.
For the islands of Capri, Ischia and Procida, head to Naples and catch a ferry from the port.
Practical Tips Before You Fly
Check your ticket carefully, because the airport code tells you everything.
QSR means Salerno, while NAP means Naples, so make sure your transfers and hotel pick-ups are booked for the right place.
Keep your airline's app handy, as flight times may have shifted from your original booking.
If your flight was cancelled, European Union rules generally let you choose between a refund and an alternative flight.
Trova Napoli notes that if you accept a different airport, the airline should cover your transfer back to the one you originally booked.
Cash compensation usually does not apply when passengers were told about the change at least 14 days ahead, so do not count on a windfall.
It is also worth checking your travel insurance policy so you know exactly what is and is not covered before you leave home.
Is It Still Worth Going?
Absolutely.
November is a beautifully quiet time on the Amalfi Coast, with fewer crowds, often softer prices and mild autumn days perfect for wandering.
With a little extra planning, you can still enjoy those sea views, a plate of fresh pasta and a glass of something lovely without a hitch.
And if you are booking for December, there is good news: Naples airport should be up and running again in time for the festive season.
