43 weekly frequencies to six destinations across North America; Naples Airport’s long-haul network is growing rapidly, with next summer marking a record-breaking period. New flights are being established by two of the three major US airlines, notably American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, with new routes to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Chicago O'Hare International Airport, respectively. This complements United’s double-daily connection to Newark, as well as Air Canada’s new flights from Montreal.
It goes without saying that Naples Airport’s (NAP) plans for summer 2025 are impressive. According to Cirium data, Naples Airport’s North America network growth is only beat in Italy by Palermo (PMO) by percentage compared to the same period this year.
In an interview with me for Simple Flying, Naples Airport’s Aviation Business Development Director, Margherita Chiaramonte, spoke about the facility’s plan for next summer, its impact on the local economy, route cannibalization and the ITA Airways-Lufthansa deal.
Summer 2024 represented an “increasingly intercontinental focus.” The airport saw two new routes, adding to United Airlines’ existing double-daily connection to Newark.The total number of direct daily flights to the US rose to four, achieving a “very high load factor, laying the basis for further connectivity increase next year.”
The North America network this summer looked as follows:
- United Airlines: Newark (EWR; twice-daily on a Boeing 767-300)
- American Airlines: Philadelphia (PHL; daily on a Boeing 787-8)
- Delta Air Lines: New York (JFK; daily on a Boeing 767-300)
Cirium data suggests that in terms of capacity, United Airlines tops the list with 10,000 seats on offer compared to 7,200 with American and 6,700 with Delta. Flights to Philadelphia were brand new, launched by American Airlines as of June 5. Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines’ JFK flight began in late-May, 2025. Chiaramonte adds:
"The U.S. market showed strong dynamism thanks to the launch of flights to Philadelphia and New York JFK, operated respectively by American Airlines and Delta Air Lines."
Next summer will see NAP’s North American network more than double in size in terms of the destinations offered. It will move from 2024’s three flights (to Newark, Philadelphia and New York) to seven with the inclusion of:
- American Airlines: Chicago (ORD; daily on a Boeing 787-8)
- Air Canada: Montreal (YUL; four-times a week on a Boeing 787-8)
- Delta Air Lines: Atlanta (ATL; four-times a week on an Airbus A330-200)
Delta will also replace its Boeing 767 that was deployed on the JFK flight with an A330-200, providing a slight increase in capacity.
“Long-haul routes are crucial for Naples and the entire Campania region due to the added value brought by inbound travel to the area’s economic development, particularly the tourism sector. This is driven by the arrival of high-spending travellers who typically stay longer.
According to Airports Council International (the global association of airport operators headquartered in Montreal), increased airport connectivity correlates with a rise in regional per capita GDP thanks to tourism, the international mobility of the workforce, and the attraction of foreign investments.”
Compared to 2024, Naples’ network to North America will have increased by just over 50% in flights and seats, according to Cirium data. The facility comes in second place in terms of Italian airports with the most overall network growth in the region, although it is worth keeping in mind that all Italian airports are seeing considerable increases.
One of the worries with cities like Naples is the question of demand and whether there is enough to sustain increased capacity. It is worth noting, though, that Naples is the third most populous city in Italy - so it really isn't that small. With 43 weekly frequencies to six destinations across the US, we asked Chiaramonte whether she felt existing routes would be cannibalized as a result of the two new additions. She said:
“The introduction of new flights to Atlanta and Chicago represents a significant expansion of connectivity for Naples Airport. These routes to two of the largest U.S. hubs will allow passengers to connect seamlessly to destinations across the globe with just one transit, enhancing the convenience and attractiveness of Naples as a gateway for intercontinental travel.
The addition of these routes is based on thorough market analysis, which identified strong growth potential. Rather than cannibalizing existing routes, the new services will complement them by offering more options and greater flexibility for travellers.”
Naples is situated in the Campania region in Italy, which represents about 6% of the country’s overall GDP. A recent study found that NAP contributes 4.2% of the region’s GDP and has generated 112,000 direct and indirect jobs.
“These figures underscore the strategic importance of Naples Airport and its leading role in the region's economic and social development. This is due to the progressive and consistent expansion of its flight offerings, which has facilitated the movement of tourists, students, entrepreneurs, and goods, while generating employment opportunities, fostering entrepreneurial initiatives, and encouraging the flow of ideas and knowledge.”
The expansion of the airport’s US network is also a key element of its economic, regional significance. At the announcement of the new Atlanta-Naples route in September, Roberto Barbieri, CEO of airport operator GESAC, said:
“The arrival of high-spending tourists with longer average stays represents an opportunity for extraordinary development for our region, also due to the strong employment impact it implies.”
Chiaramonte highlighted that the opening of new routes is “not just about increasing tourist flows; it’s also about driving economic development for the region.” She continues:
“Our commercial policies are designed to appeal to airlines serving these segments, offering mutually beneficial incentives and focusing on building long-term partnerships.
This approach has clearly paid off, as evidenced by the growing interest from U.S. and Canadian carriers and the addition of new intercontinental routes. It’s a win-win scenario that benefits both the airport and the broader regional economy.”
This is particularly relevant, not just for the region, but also for the airport itself. Passengers on intercontinental flights "typically spend more time in the terminal while waiting for their flights, which generally translates into a higher propensity to spend.”
Last night, the European Commission approved the concessions proposed by ITA Airways and Lufthansa to ensure a competitive environment in light of their merger. This included relinquishing slots to easyJet for new bases at Milan Linate and Rome Fiumicino, and working with Air France-KLM and International Airlines Group to facilitate long-haul flights to North America from Italy.
Naples believes that the merger will provide “significant benefits to the market” and allow the airport to grow.
“As part of the Lufthansa Group, ITA Airways will gain access to a much broader network, both within Europe and on an intercontinental scale. This integration is expected to enhance connectivity, offering passengers more seamless travel options and access to Lufthansa’s extensive hubs
For Naples Airport, this means not only increased flight options but also the opportunity to attract a higher volume of premium travelers and further integrate into global travel networks. This collaboration will likely elevate the airport’s profile, supporting its long-term strategic goals of expanding its connectivity and improving service quality.”
Much attention has been paid to the impact of the merger on the two main Italian cities of Rome and Milan, while very few have considered its impact on more regional airports.
As Naples-and other secondary airports- benefit from the growing presence of North American airlines, it remains to be seen whether European carriers will be able to compete effectively. Otherwise, the long-haul European aviation market could be dominated by players outside of the bloc.
