Brightwork Polish at Salerno Costa d'Amalfi (LIRI)

What changes at Salerno Costa d'Amalfi as the airport builds out?

Salerno reopened to scheduled traffic in July 2024 after a four-year runway extension brought the single strip—05/23—to 2,000 metres. The airport sits at 123 feet elevation and is operated by GESAC, the company that runs Naples. It is not slot coordinated, and customs are available for international arrivals.

General-aviation facilities remain transitional. A dedicated GA terminal and a five-gate passenger terminal are planned, with full operation expected in 2026 or 2027. Until then, handling agents work from temporary infrastructure, and ramp positions are assigned case by case. For a brightwork polish, this means we confirm stand availability and GPU access with the handler well before your arrival, and we carry our own lighting and water if the apron setup requires it. The short runway and coastal location make Salerno attractive for midsize and super-midsize jets; larger aircraft arrive but must account for performance limits, especially in summer heat.

How long does a brightwork polish take on the ramp at Salerno?

Duration depends on the amount of bare metal and its condition. A typical super-midsize jet with factory brightwork—leading edges, inlet rings, spinners and exhausts—takes one full day if the metal is maintained regularly. If oxidation has built up or if the aircraft has been through a deicing season without a polish, expect two days. Ultra-long-range jets with extensive nacelle brightwork and polished window surrounds can reach three days.

We schedule around your flight plan. If you have a morning departure slot, we start the evening before and work overnight under portable lighting, finishing the sealant application at first light. For longer layovers—passengers ashore on the Amalfi Coast for two or three nights—we work normal daylight hours and complete the job between arrivals. The handler is briefed on our timeline and any GPU or tow requirements before we begin.

What does the polishing process involve at this airport?

Every square inch of bare metal is polished by hand using graduated compounds, moving from cutting polish to remove oxidation through to jeweller's rouge for the final mirror finish. We mask adjacent painted surfaces and no-touch avionics, then work the leading edges, inlet rings, spinners, exhaust cones and any polished trim or cheat-line brightwork. Window surrounds and small nacelle panels receive the same treatment.

Once the mirror finish is achieved, we apply a hydrophobic sealant to slow oxidation and make the next wash easier. The sealant cures in an hour; we do not release the aircraft until it is fully dry and we have inspected every panel under raking light. All compounds, pads and microfibre cloths are aviation-grade, and we carry our own deionised water if the apron supply is uncertain. Waste polish and rinse water are contained and disposed of according to GESAC environmental rules.

How do we coordinate with the handling agent at Salerno?

Because general-aviation infrastructure is still transitional, early coordination is essential. We contact the handling agent as soon as you file your PPR, confirming the stand assignment, GPU availability, and our airside-escort arrangement. The handler provides us with apron access and ensures the aircraft remains on external power if you need cabin climate control during the work.

We bring our own tools, lighting, water and consumables; the handler is not expected to supply anything beyond the stand and power. If the aircraft needs to be towed to a different position mid-job—rare, but possible if scheduled traffic takes priority—we pause, secure all materials, and resume once the aircraft is repositioned. The handler receives a copy of our insurance certificate and a brief scope-of-work document before we step onto the ramp, and we check in and out through their operations desk each shift.

What documentation and reporting do you provide after the polish?

You receive a complete photo report within two hours of job completion: high-resolution images of every polished surface under natural and raking light, showing the mirror finish on leading edges, inlets, spinners, exhausts and trim. The report includes before-and-after pairs for areas that had significant oxidation, and close-ups of any pre-existing damage we noted—small dents, paint chips at the leading-edge bond line, or corrosion that requires deeper maintenance.

A one-page service summary accompanies the photos, listing the areas polished, the sealant applied, and the recommended interval until the next polish—typically two to four times a year, depending on your operating environment. If you request a tech-log entry, we provide the wording and our company stamp. All documentation is emailed as a PDF package and copied to the handler if you wish. The report is written in English and meets the requirements of most flight-department quality systems.

Can brightwork polish be combined with other detailing at Salerno?

Brightwork polish is often performed as part of a Complete Detail, especially if the aircraft is spending two or three days on the Amalfi Coast. We can schedule the exterior wash and paint decontamination on day one, the brightwork polish on day two, and a single-stage paint polish and cabin interior on day three, delivering the aircraft in show condition before departure.

If time is shorter, we prioritise the leading edges and inlets—the surfaces that oxidise fastest and have the greatest effect on appearance—and defer window surrounds or belly brightwork to the next layover. We also coordinate with any line-maintenance tasks the operator has scheduled; if the engines are due for a borescope or the gear bays are open for inspection, we defer polishing those areas until the panels are closed and signed off. The goal is a complete, efficient turnaround with no rework and no delays to your next leg.