Malpensa

Malpensa International Airport, officially Aeroporto di Milano-Malpensa, is an international airport serving Milan, Italy. It is located near Ferno and Somma Lombardo in the Lombardy region, about 49 kilometers northwest of Milan’s city center. It is the largest airport serving Milan by international traffic and one of the main gateways to northern Italy.

History: The site opened in 1947 as a military airbase. Civil aviation began in the 1950s, and the airport expanded in the 1990s with the opening of Terminal 1 to accommodate growing passenger numbers. Terminal 2 has historically handled low-cost carriers and seasonal or charter traffic. The airport has continued to update facilities to support increasing demand and to improve passenger flow.

Facilities: Malpensa comprises two passenger terminals. Terminal 1 handles the majority of international and intercontinental flights, while Terminal 2 is used by select low-cost and charter services. The complex provides a range of services, including shops, dining, lounges, car rental, and ground transport connections. Cargo operations are served by dedicated facilities on site.

Transport links: The airport is connected to Milan by the Malpensa Express rail service, with direct trains to Milano Centrale and Milano Cadorna. Road access is via the A8 Autostrada dei Laghi, and regional bus routes link Malpensa with surrounding towns and Milan. A frequent shuttle service connects Terminals 1 and 2.

Operations and governance: Malpensa is operated by SEA SpA, a company owned by local authorities in the Milan metropolitan area. The airport handles international and intercontinental traffic and serves as a base for several carriers, contributing substantially to the region’s economy and to international connectivity.