This classic Italian destination will get its own airport

There’s a rule of thumb when visiting Italy: The harder it is to get to a destination, the more beauty lies in store for you. That rule is about to get a little less hard and fast as the Amalfi Coast gets its “own” airport. Salerno Costa d’Amalfi Airport will “open” in July, 45 kilometers southeast of the city of Amalfi and 21 kilometers (13 miles) from the city of Salerno, the gateway to the famous coast. Technically it’s a reopening rather than a new airport built from scratch. First constructed in 1926, over the past 98 years, it has been used on and off as a military airport, flying school, firefighting hub and private airport. In 2007, it was developed to allow commercial flights, too. The runway was lengthened, and two gates and four check-in desks were built. Airlines using it included Air Dolomiti and VolaSalerno, a short-lived local startup with just one plane that folded in 2008. The airport then closed entirely in 2016. July 11 will see the start of its new life with the arrival of commercial flights by Volotea, a Spanish airline with a major presence in Italy. Permission to operate commercial flights was granted in January, and for its forthcoming opening, the runway has been extended to 2,000 meters. Aircraft stands and facilities have been added. Operations are starting slowly as the airport is still under development and not scheduled to be finished until 2026. This year, Volotea will serve four destinations, starting with Nantes in France and Cagliari in Sardinia in July, and Verona and Catania added in September. Other “important airlines” are in talks to serve the airport as well, according to a spokesperson for GESAC, which manages the airport.<br/>