Capodichino Airport is undergoing a transformation; Napoli’s hub has a Masterplan approved by 2035 to profoundly change it. ENAC gave the go-ahead in the summer of 2026, planning an investment of over 250 million euros for interventions that will significantly redesign the service in the coming years. The main changes? A new terminal dedicated to extra-Schengen and intercontinental flights, new aircraft stands, and a hotel near the departures area to facilitate commuters. The most awaited novelty, however, concerns the metro that will connect the airport directly to the city center.
The date may seem distant, but it is relatively close when you think about the magnitude of the change ahead; according to the plan, the project will allow the airport to accommodate up to 17.3 million passengers per year: a significant growth that will need to keep pace with the increase in flights. The strategy also targets larger-capacity aircraft, a higher utilization of available seats, and a more balanced distribution of departures throughout the day. The aim is to increase the airport’s capacity without further burdening an airport that remains embedded in Naples’ urban fabric.
How Capodichino Airport Is Changing
The change you will probably notice most concerns international connections. Capodichino aims to carve out a more substantial space on long-haul routes, with a dedicated area for passengers traveling outside the Schengen area. The new terminal is expected to extend over about 15,000 square meters and become operational by 2032. Five new gates are planned, larger spaces for passport checks for both departures and arrivals, and new commercial areas.
The investment planned for this portion of the project is about €37 million. The idea is simple: enable Naples to manage intercontinental flights more easily and open the door to new destinations, including those toward the East. Before 2032, however, other parts of the airport will begin to change. In the coming years, works will be carried out on the runway, the aprons, and the existing infrastructure. A portion of the works will also concern private aviation, a sector that Naples could take on increasing importance as it hosts major international events in the city.
And then there is a development that will affect especially those who fly early in the morning or arrive in Naples late at night: an airport hotel. It is planned to rise in the building currently used by Gesac’s offices, practically adjacent to the airport. We are talking about roughly 150 meters from the terminal and just 50 meters from the future metro station. The planned investment is €14 million and, according to the schedule, the hotel should be ready by 2030.
News: The Metro Is Arriving at the Airport
The most interesting transformation, however, could begin even before you step through the terminal doors. One of Capodichino’s historic bottlenecks is accessibility. The airport sits very close to the center of Naples, a huge advantage compared with many other European hubs, but that proximity also means dealing daily with the city’s traffic. The metro will be one of the most important pieces. The new station planned at Capodichino is expected to open in 2027 and will significantly change the experience of arriving in Naples without a car. The goal, then, will be to step off the plane and begin the journey directly from the metro network.
