Milan's Main Airport: A Comprehensive Guide To Malpensa

Milan, Italy, is served by three airports: Malpensa Airport, Linate Airport, and Il Caravaggio International Airport (also known as Bergamo Airport). Malpensa Airport, located 49-52km northwest of Milan, is the city's main international airport and the second busiest airport in Italy. It is the largest airport in northern Italy and the ninth busiest airport in the world in terms of the number of countries served with direct scheduled flights.

Milan Malpensa Airport is the main airport in Milan

Milan Malpensa Airport is the busiest airport in Italy for freight and cargo, handling 721,254 tons of international freight annually (2022). In 2022, the airport handled 21.3 million passengers, making it the second busiest airport in Italy in terms of passengers after Rome Fiumicino Airport. Together with Linate Airport and Bergamo Airport, it forms the Milan airport system, which served 42.2 million passengers in 2022, making it the largest airport system in Italy by the number of passengers.

Milan Malpensa Airport has a rich history in aviation, with the site witnessing aviation activities for over 100 years. The airport was originally opened in 1909 by Giovanni Agusta and Gianni Caproni to test their aircraft prototypes before switching to civil operations in 1948. During the Second World War, the airfield was taken over by Nazi Germany's Luftwaffe, and they laid the airfield's first concrete runway. After the war, manufacturers and politicians of the Milan and Varese regions restored the airfield, aiming to make it an industrial fulcrum for Italy's post-war recovery.

The airport has two passenger terminals, with Terminal 1 being the newer, larger, and more prominent terminal. Terminal 2 is used exclusively by EasyJet, while all other flights to and from Milan go through Terminal 1. Milan Malpensa Airport is easily accessible from the city centre via train or airport bus.

Milan Linate Airport is the closest airport to the city centre

Milan has three airports: Malpensa, Linate, and Bergamo. Milan Linate Airport is the closest airport to the city centre, located just 7km away. It is a small airport, serving mostly domestic and European flights. Linate Airport is easily accessible by public transport and has good connections to the city centre. The M4 metro line connects the single-terminal airport to the city centre in just 12 minutes. There is also a shuttle bus service that runs between the airport and Milano Centrale every half hour, with a journey time of 25 minutes.

Linate Airport is the second-largest airport in Milan, serving over nine million passengers annually. It is the airport of choice for business travellers due to its proximity to the city centre. Linate Airport offers regular international and domestic flights, with most passengers flying on Alitalia flights within Italy. The Rome-Milan route is especially popular with business travellers.

While Linate Airport is the closest to the city centre, Milan Malpensa Airport is the largest and busiest airport in northern Italy. It is located about 50km northwest of Milan and handles long-haul international flights. Malpensa Airport is the second busiest airport in Italy, after Rome's Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, handling around 28 million passengers per year. All non-EU originating flights to Milan arrive at Malpensa, which is also a hub for the low-cost carrier EasyJet.

Bergamo Airport, also known as Il Caravaggio International Airport or Orio al Serio Airport, is located about 50km east of Milan. It is the third-busiest airport in Italy, serving over 13 million passengers annually. Bergamo Airport is a hub for the budget carrier Ryanair and is a popular choice for travellers flying within Europe and the UK.

Malpensa Airport is the second busiest airport in Italy

Malpensa Airport is Milan's main airport and the second busiest airport in Italy. It is an international airport located in the municipalities of Somma Lombardo and Ferno in the Province of Varese, Lombardy, Italy. It is the largest airport in northern Italy, serving Lombardy, Piedmont, Liguria, and the Swiss canton of Ticino. The airport is situated 49 kilometres (30 miles) northwest of Milan, next to the Ticino river, which divides Lombardy and Piedmont.

Malpensa Airport is a significant aviation hub, ranking 9th in the world and 6th in Europe for the number of countries served with direct scheduled flights. In 2022, the airport accommodated 21.3 million passengers, making it the 23rd busiest airport in Europe and the second busiest in Italy after Rome Fiumicino Airport. It is also Italy's busiest airport for freight and cargo, handling 721,254 tons of international freight annually as of 2022.

The airport has a rich history, with aviation activities taking place on the site for over a century. It was originally used by pioneers like the Caproni brothers to test aircraft prototypes before transitioning to civil operations in 1948. Malpensa Airport officially commenced commercial operations in 1948, and it has since expanded and developed into a major gateway for international and intercontinental flights.

Malpensa Airport consists of two passenger terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Terminal 1 is the newer and larger terminal, handling most scheduled and charter flights. It is divided into three concourses: Concourse A for domestic and intra-Schengen flights, Concourse B for non-Schengen and intercontinental flights, and Concourse C (B2) for non-Schengen, intercontinental, and security-sensitive flights to the US and Israel. Terminal 2 is the older terminal, exclusively used by EasyJet.

The airport offers various transportation options to and from Milan, including regional trains, buses, shuttles, and taxis. It is well-connected to Milan's city centre, making it a convenient gateway for travellers visiting the city and its surrounding attractions, such as the Duomo cathedral and Santa Maria delle Grazie church.

Malpensa Airport is located in the municipalities of Somma Lombardo and Ferno

Milan Malpensa Airport, also known as Aeroporto internazionale Milano Malpensa "Silvio Berlusconi", is Milan's main airport. It is an international airport located in the municipalities of Somma Lombardo and Ferno in the province of Varese, Lombardy, Italy. It is the largest airport in northern Italy, serving Lombardy, Piedmont, Liguria, and the Swiss canton of Ticino. The airport is situated 49 kilometres (about 30-32 miles or 50 kilometres) northwest of Milan, next to the Ticino river, which divides Lombardy and Piedmont.

Malpensa Airport is the second busiest airport in Italy after Rome Fiumicino Airport, handling 21.3 million passengers in 2022. It is also the busiest airport in Italy for freight and cargo, handling 721,254 tons of international freight in 2022. The airport has two terminals, with Terminal 2 exclusively used by EasyJet and Terminal 1 serving all other flights. Malpensa Airport is easily accessible from Milan's city centre by public transportation, including regional trains and buses.

The site of today's Malpensa Airport has a long history of aviation activities. The first began in 1910 when the Caproni brothers flew their "flying machine", the Cal biplane. Over the years, the airfield became the largest aircraft production centre in Italy, with Gianni Caproni and Giovanni Agusta establishing factories on the site. During the Second World War, the airfield was taken over by Nazi Germany, and it suffered heavy damage. However, it was restored and expanded after the war, officially commencing commercial operations in 1948.

Malpensa Airport has seen several developments and expansions over the years, including the addition of new terminals and the extension of runways. It has also changed hands a few times, with the Municipality of Milan taking control of the airport's operator in 1952 and deciding to develop it as an international gateway. Today, Malpensa Airport is a hub for several airlines, including EasyJet, and offers direct scheduled flights to many countries worldwide.

Malpensa Airport is 49-52km from Milan

Milan Malpensa Airport is the main airport in Milan, Italy, and is located 49-52km from the city centre. It is the largest airport in northern Italy and serves Lombardy, Piedmont, Liguria, and the Swiss canton of Ticino. The airport is situated in the municipalities of Somma Lombardo and Ferno, in the Province of Varese.

Malpensa Airport is a major hub for international flights, serving as the main gateway to northern Italy for long-haul journeys. All flights from the United States to Milan arrive at Malpensa, and it is also a base for British low-cost carrier EasyJet. The airport accommodates a large number of passengers, handling 21.3 million passengers in 2022 and 26 million in 2023.

The distance from Malpensa Airport to Milan's city centre makes public transportation a convenient option for travellers. Regional trains operated by Trenord provide regular service between the airport and Milano Centrale, the city's main train station. Alternatively, passengers can opt for trains to Milano Cadorna, a smaller station located centrally. These train journeys take around 43 minutes and cost €13-14 each way.

For those who prefer not to use public transport, taxi services are available at the airport. A taxi ride to Milano Centrale typically takes about an hour in moderate traffic and around 40 minutes without congestion. The standard fare for this trip is set at €110, with potential additional charges for excessive luggage and night or weekend travel.

Malpensa Airport's proximity to Milan, along with its efficient transport connections, makes it a convenient gateway to the city and the broader region. Its status as Milan's main airport is well-deserved, given its capacity for international flights and the volume of passengers it handles.

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