Lois Larson
Milan Malpensa Airport is an international airport in Ferno, in the Province of Varese, Lombardy, Italy. It is Milan's largest and busiest airport, located 49 kilometres (30 miles) northwest of the city. The airport was opened in 1909 by Giovanni Agusta and Gianni Caproni to test their aircraft prototypes and has since become the ninth-largest airport in the world and sixth in Europe in terms of the number of countries served with direct flights. Malpensa Airport is also the busiest airport in Italy for freight and cargo, handling over 730,000 tons of international freight annually.
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What You'll Learn
Malpensa is Milan's largest international airport
Malpensa Airport is Milan's largest international airport. It is located 25 miles (40 kilometres) northwest of Milan, next to the Ticino river, which divides Lombardy and Piedmont. It is the busiest airport in Italy for freight and cargo, handling over 730,000 tons of international freight annually. In 2024, Malpensa Airport handled 28.5 million passengers, making it the second-busiest airport in Italy in terms of passengers.
Malpensa Airport is one of three international airports in Milan, the others being Linate and Bergamo. Linate Airport is Milan's second-largest airport, mainly serving domestic and short-haul international flights. Bergamo Airport, also known as Orio al Serio International Airport, is a major hub for low-cost airlines.
Malpensa Airport has two terminals, which are very different and located 4 kilometres apart. A free shuttle bus connects the two terminals, running every 7 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes at night. Malpensa Airport operates a wide range of international and domestic flights, connecting Milan to major cities worldwide. It is a major hub for ITA Airways, Neos, and Lufthansa, with direct connections to cities across Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East.
The airport has a direct coach connection with Milan's Linate Airport. Travellers can also get from Malpensa Airport to Milan's city centre by train, shuttle bus, or taxi. The Malpensa Express train connects the airport to Milan's city centre, with a journey time of 30 to 50 minutes. The Malpensa Shuttle and Malpensa Bus Express also connect the airport to Milan Central Station, with a journey time of 60 to 70 minutes.
The history of Malpensa Airport dates back to 1909 when Giovanni Agusta and Gianni Caproni opened the site to test their aircraft prototypes. In the following years, the site became the largest aircraft production centre in Italy, with both Agusta and Caproni establishing factories. During the 1920s and 1930s, the airfield hosted two squadrons of the Italian Air Force. In 1948, the airfield switched to civil operations, and in 1985, the Italian Parliament designated Malpensa as the centre for all services covering northern Italy. Construction on the new terminal began in 1990, and Malpensa Airport reopened eight years later.
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It is 25 miles from Milan's city centre
Milan Malpensa Airport is located 25 miles (or 40 kilometres) from Milan's city centre. It is the largest airport in northern Italy, serving Lombardy, Piedmont, Liguria, and the Swiss canton of Ticino. The airport is situated in the Province of Varese, next to the Ticino river, which divides Lombardy and Piedmont.
Malpensa Airport is Milan's largest and busiest international airport, with over 28 million travellers passing through each year. It is one of three international airports in Milan, along with Linate and Bergamo. Linate Airport, the second-largest, is much closer to the city centre, making it a popular choice for travellers heading directly into Milan, especially business travellers and those flying within Europe.
Malpensa Airport is a major hub for ITA Airways, Neos, and Lufthansa, offering direct connections to cities across Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East. It is also the busiest airport in Italy for freight and cargo, handling over 730,000 tons of international freight annually.
Given its distance from the city centre, travellers from Malpensa Airport have several transport options to reach Milan. The Malpensa Express train connects the airport to the city centre, with a journey time of 30 to 50 minutes. There are also shuttle buses, such as the Terravision bus service, which takes about 50 minutes, and taxis or private transfer services are available for a more comfortable journey.
The airport's distance from the city centre can be seen as a benefit for those visiting the lakes north of Milan, as Malpensa is the closest airport to Lakes Maggiore and Orta. It is also the closest airport to the ski resorts on the Italy-France border, such as Sestriere, Sauze d'Oulx, and Courmayeur.
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It is the busiest Italian airport for freight and cargo
Milan Malpensa Airport is the busiest Italian airport for freight and cargo, handling over 730,000 tons of international freight in 2024. In 2019, it was the sixth busiest cargo airport in Europe, handling 558,000 tons of cargo. Malpensa Airport is strategically located in the industrial heartland of Italy, making it critical for handling Central and Southern European air cargo. Within a 200-mile radius of the airport are the largest industrial outputs of the five Italian regions of Piedmont, Lombardy, Veneto, Emilia Romagna, and Tuscany.
The airport's cargo operations date back to the 1960s when major European carriers moved most of their services to Linate Airport, leaving Malpensa with a small number of passenger routes and an emphasis on cargo flights. In 2008, the airport began to expand its network of cargo routes, adding a total of 34 new passenger and cargo routes by 2011. Low-cost carrier EasyJet made Malpensa its main base after London Gatwick, and competitor Ryanair confirmed plans to open an operating base at Malpensa in 2015.
Malpensa Airport is well-connected to Milan's city centre, with a direct train connection offering four services per hour in both directions. The journey time ranges between 30 and 50 minutes, depending on the type of service and the number of stops. There are also shuttle bus and coach services connecting the airport to Milan Central station and Milan's Metro network.
In 2019, SEA Milano, the operator of Malpensa Airport, negotiated with several freight forwarders to construct second-line warehouses within the airport grounds, aiming to increase the airport's cargo capacity. By combining "first line" cargo infrastructure with "second-line" warehouses, SEA Milano expected to increase the airport's total cargo capacity to over one million tons per year within the next 2-3 years.
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Malpensa was designated as the aviation hub for northern Italy
Milan Malpensa Airport, located in Ferno, is the largest airport in northern Italy. It is Milan's largest and busiest international airport, serving Lombardy, Piedmont, Liguria, and the Swiss canton of Ticino. Malpensa Airport is the second busiest airport in Italy, handling over 28 million passengers annually.
Malpensa Airport was designated as the aviation hub for northern Italy due to its ability to handle a large volume of passengers and freight. The airport offers a wide range of international and domestic flights, connecting Milan to major cities worldwide. It is a major hub for ITA Airways, Neos, and Lufthansa, with direct connections to cities across Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East.
The history of Malpensa Airport dates back to 1909 when Giovanni Agusta and Gianni Caproni used the site to test their aircraft prototypes. In 1910, the Caproni brothers flew a Cal biplane, and over time, the site developed into the largest aircraft production centre in Italy. During the 1920s and 1930s, the Italian Air Force also utilised the airfield.
In 1985, the Italian Parliament passed a law that reorganised the Milan airport system, designating Malpensa as the centre for all services covering northern Italy. The "Malpensa 2000" plan included the construction of a new terminal and the development of efficient connections to Milan's city centre. The project received recognition and funding from the European Union, and the airport was reopened in 1998 after eight years of construction.
Malpensa Airport is well-connected to Milan's city centre, with the Malpensa Express train, shuttle buses, and taxi services providing transport options. However, one downside is its distance from the city centre, located about 25-30 miles (40-49 kilometres) northwest of Milan. The airport has two terminals, connected by a free shuttle bus, and offers convenient access to nearby ski resorts and lakes, making it a popular choice for travellers.
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The airport was opened in 1909 by Gianni Caproni
The history of Milan Malpensa Airport dates back over a century, with the site witnessing aviation activities since the early 20th century. The airport, located in Ferno, in the Province of Varese, Lombardy, Italy, is situated 49 kilometres (30 miles) northwest of Milan, on the outskirts of the city.
The story of its aeronautical origins begins in 1909 when Gianni Caproni, along with Giovanni Agusta, played a pivotal role in establishing this site as an aviation hub. They utilised the location to test their aircraft prototypes, marking the inception of what would become a prominent airfield.
Gianni Caproni, a pioneer in the Italian aviation industry, was instrumental in transforming the site into a thriving centre for aircraft production. In the ensuing years, the location witnessed a surge in aviation activities, with numerous aircraft prototypes taking to the skies from the same site. This momentum culminated in the establishment of a formal airfield, solidifying the site's significance in Italy's aviation landscape.
The airfield flourished under the stewardship of Gianni Caproni, attracting the attention of the Italian Air Force. During the 1920s and 1930s, the airfield hosted two squadrons of the Regia Aeronautica Italiana, further cementing its role as a strategic aviation hub.
In 1943, the airfield underwent another transformation when it fell under the control of the Luftwaffe during World War II, following the invasion of northern Italy by Nazi Germany. This period witnessed the construction of the airfield's first concrete runway, signifying its growing importance as an aviation facility.
After the war, the airfield underwent restoration and redevelopment, ultimately transitioning to civil operation in 1948. This shift marked the beginning of Malpensa Airport's journey towards becoming an international gateway, attracting major airlines and establishing itself as a pivotal aviation hub in northern Italy.
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Frequently asked questions
Malpensa Airport is located in the Province of Varese, Lombardy, Italy. The airport was opened in 1909 by Giovanni Agusta and Gianni Caproni to test their aircraft prototypes. The airfield was soon developed into the largest aircraft production centre in Italy.
Malpensa Airport is located 49 kilometres (30 miles) northwest of Milan. It takes between 30 and 50 minutes to travel between the airport and the city centre by train.
Malpensa Airport has two terminals, which are 4 kilometres apart. A free shuttle bus connects the two terminals, running every 7 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes at night.
The easiest and most comfortable option is to book a private airport transfer service. However, the Malpensa Express train, airport shuttle buses, and taxis are also viable options.
Aviation activities on the site of today's Malpensa Airport began on 27 May 1910, when the Caproni brothers flew a Cal biplane. In the following years, the airfield hosted two squadrons of the Regia Aeronautica Italiana (Italian Air Force). In 1948, the airfield switched to civil operations.
