Transavia France Launches Kajaani Route and Salerno Flights Amid Naples Airport Closure

Paris, July 27, 2026 — Flight registries confirm that Transavia France launches winter routes for 2026–2027, introducing Kajaani flights and expanding Salerno operations during Naples Airport runway closures.

Transavia France Opens a New Winter Route to Kajaani

Paris, July 27, 2026 — Flight registries confirm that Transavia France launches winter routes for 2026–2027, introducing Kajaani flights and expanding Salerno operations during Naples Airport runway closures. The airline is establishing a direct link between Paris-Orly Airport (ORY) and Kajaani Airport (KAJ) in Finland. This winter route is expected to support growing tourist demand for nature-based Arctic travel options.

The direct flight to Kajaani appears on the booking portal with an estimated duration of four hours and thirty minutes. Kajaani is located in the Kainuu region of the northern Finnish Lakeland, serving as a gateway toward Lapland. The route provides travelers with a direct winter getaway, bypassing the traditional domestic stopover in Helsinki. It targets family holidaymakers seeking cross-country skiing, snowmobile excursions, and Northern Lights viewing.

Kajaani Airport Receives Direct Scheduled Link from Paris

The new route has significant implications for Kajaani Airport, which remains a small regional transit hub. According to Finavia statistics, Kajaani Airport processed approximately 43,000 passengers during the full year of 2025. Direct flights from Paris will help distribute winter tourism demand away from congested Lapland airports. Scheduled flights offer local tourism operators direct access to a major international market.

The scale of French travel to northern Finland is highlighted by Rovaniemi Airport's performance. Rovaniemi reached one million annual passengers in 2025, with France ranking as the third-largest market supplying 17% of international visitors. The direct connection to Kajaani will strengthen the region's overall hospitality sector. It allows local accommodations and tour providers to offer dedicated winter travel packages.

Closure of Naples Airport in 2026 Forces Capacity Shift to Salerno

Naples International Airport (NAP) will close entirely in November 2026 to carry out scheduled runway and taxiway infrastructure works. According to airport operator GESAC, these mandatory works comply with strict aviation safety standards. Italy's civil aviation authority ENAC postponed the project to November to minimize passenger disruption during a shoulder travel month. The project represents a planned maintenance effort rather than emergency repairs.

To maintain connectivity during the closure, Transavia France is temporarily increasing flights to Salerno Costa d'Amalfi Airport (QSR). The airline plans to offer up to eleven weekly flights to Salerno throughout November. The adjustment ensures continued access to the Campania region while Naples is closed. It does not represent a permanent cancellation of operations to Naples.

Salerno Costa d'Amalfi Airport Prepares for Increased Passenger Flows

Salerno Airport is developing its transport connections to handle the capacity shift. Official guidelines outline that the Salerno Airlink bus connects the terminal to the central train station in approximately 40 minutes. Travelers must factor in luggage retrieval and wait times when planning local transits. ENAC forecasted Salerno's first-year traffic at 370,000 passengers, supported by an eighty-million-euro budget for the first phase of development.

The transition requires passengers to coordinate new transport logistics for rail links, car rentals, and hotel transfers. Salerno serves as a functional alternative, but travelers should not view the two airports as interchangeable. Advance planning remains key to avoiding a disruptive travel experience.

European Winter Aviation Infrastructure Metrics (2025–2026)

Region / Airport Link	Passenger Volume (2025)	Project Budget / Phase	Primary Transit Provider	Market Role / Status
Paris-Orly (ORY)	34,928,909 (Up 5.5%)	N/A	Transavia France / ADP	Outbound European gateway
Salerno Costa d'Amalfi (QSR)	Projected 370,000	€80M (Phase 1 of €223M)	ENAC / Salerno Airlink	Alternate Campania gateway
Kajaani Airport (KAJ)	43,000 passengers	N/A	Finavia / Helsinki link	Small regional Finnish hub
Rovaniemi Airport (RVN)	Over 1 Million passengers	N/A	Finavia / Charter lines	Main Lapland winter gateway
Italian National Airports	Over 229 Million (Up 5%)	N/A	ENAC / Airport operators	High-growth passenger sector

Why This Matters (Information Gain & Experience)

For the traveler, this means that because Salerno Costa d'Amalfi Airport is located further from central Naples, landing there adds a 40-minute bus transfer via the Salerno Airlink to reach the rail terminal, increasing total travel times by up to two hours. From a legal and logistical standpoint, this creates a situation where passengers should verify the arrival airport on booking confirmations to ensure they coordinate hotel arrivals.

Additionally, travelers must understand their rights under European passenger protection frameworks:

EU261 Re-routing Rights: If your flight is diverted or rescheduled from Naples to Salerno, the airline must cover the cost of ground transportation between the two points or offer a full ticket refund.
Advance Cancellation Notice: Since the Naples runway works are scheduled in advance, flights changed with more than 14 days' notice do not qualify for cash delay compensation under EU261 rules.
Controllable Payout Rules: If a flight is canceled with less than 14 days' notice for reasons within the airline's control, passengers are entitled to cash compensation of €250.
Montreal Convention baggage Claims: If checked bags containing winter clothing are delayed on the Kajaani route, passengers can claim up to $1,700 USD to cover essential emergency purchases.