TAKING OFF
EasyJet launches UK-first flight to brand new European airport right on the coast
And two other new easyJet flights launching this year
THE first ever flight from the UK to a brand new airport in Europe has finally launched.
EasyJet is the only UK airline to offer routes to the new Salerno Airport in Italy.
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The airport is right on the Amalfi Coast and opened earlier this year.
The new easyJet flights will now operate twice a week from London Gatwick on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Flights start from £46.99 each way, while easyJet has also launched a number of package holidays including flights to the new airport.
Ali Gayward, easyJet Country Manager, said:“We are delighted to be welcoming a new destination to our network, with a unique connection from the UK to Salerno’s Amalfi Coast airport serving one of the most iconic, scenic parts of Italy from London Gatwick and we look forward to welcoming more customers onboard."
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Originally built as a military airport in 1926, the new £400million airport is now welcoming limited passenger flights.
The new airport also hopes to take pressure of the nearby Naples Airport, which was previously the best way to get to the Amalfi Coast.
However, this also required holidaymakers to drive around an hour to get to the town.
The new airport improvements includes a longer runway and new parking area.
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A new terminal is set to open in 2026, with five boarding gates and state of the art systems.
And while easyJet is currently the only UK airline offering routes to the airport, Ryanair is to launch routes from London Stansted next month.
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The airport expects to welcome as many a three million visitors in the next three years.
Designer, Alfonso Femia, from the architectural company responsible for creating the airport said: "The terminal should be an integral part of the passengers' journey and exploration of the region, the beginning and end of their experience.”
Other improvements in the area are underway to cope with the increased traffic.
This includes a new metro station with five new stops as well as extra funding for the road network.
It's just just the Amalfi Coast that easyJet has launched new flights to.
The budget airline is also launching new services to Luxor and Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt later this year.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
How to do an Amalfi Coast holiday under £100
The Sun's Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski reveals how.
"The city of Salerno isn’t as chaotic as the heaving streets of Naples, but it still has more of a buzz than the quiet towns of Ravello and Minori on the shimmering Amalfi coast.
"Everything in Salerno is within walking distance, from shopping to restaurants — and even the ferry port, where you can grab a boat over to glamorous Positano.
"At 8pm, a queue forms outside Mamma Rosa, a small, inconspicuous restaurant hidden down a side street with budget dinners that will blow your socks off."At 8pm, a queue forms outside Mamma Rosa, a small, inconspicuous restaurant hidden down a side street with budget dinners that will blow your socks off.
"Grab some wine too — it costs £7 for a litre of very decent red or white.
"Walk along the seafront and pretty much all of the cafes serve classic Aperol spritz and local wine.
"They may seem like quiet coffee shops in the day, but at night these cosy spots come alive, with locals spilling out on to the streets.
"The Plaza Hotel is in the centre of the city and opposite the train station.
"Double rooms cost about £66 a night."
Flights from London Gatwick to Luxor will launch on November 11 while flights from Liverpool to Sharm el Sheikh will launch on February 14.
And flights from both Manchester and Liverpool will launch to Oslo in November.
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