Malpensa Airport, Milan , Italy
Milan–Malpensa Airport (IATA: MXP, ICAO: LIMC), formerly known as the City of Busto Arsizio Airport, is the primary international airport serving the Milan metropolitan area in northern Italy. Strategically located about 49 km (30 mi) northwest of central Milan, near the town of Ferno and the Ticino River on the Lombardy-Piedmont border, Malpensa serves a catchment area of around 15 million people across Lombardy, Piedmont, and Liguria.
Malpensa is the largest international gateway in Northern Italy and plays a crucial role not only for Milan but for the broader region. The airport is set amidst the scenic Northern Italian countryside, blending modern infrastructure with rustic charm. It is well-connected to Milan via the Milano-Varese highway and the Malpensa Express railway, providing efficient transfers to the city center.
The airport has two passenger terminals and a dedicated cargo terminal. Terminal 1 handles almost all airlines, including Schengen, non-Schengen, and intercontinental flights, offering a wide array of services, shopping, and dining options that reflect Milan’s status as a global hub of fashion and design. Terminal 2 is used exclusively by EasyJet and primarily serves low-cost carriers; it has recently undergone renovations to improve passenger experience.
Malpensa has two runways, each 3,920 meters (~12,861 ft) long, capable of accommodating the largest passenger aircraft, underscoring its role as a key international and intercontinental hub. In 2024, the airport handled 28.7 million passengers, making it the second-busiest airport in Italy after Rome Fiumicino and placing it among the top European airports. The SEA Group, which manages both Malpensa and Linate airports, reported a total of 39.3 million passengers across Milan’s airport system in 2024.
On the cargo side, Malpensa is Italy’s busiest freight airport, handling 728,000 tonnes of cargo in 2024, a 9% increase from the previous year. The airport is also investing in infrastructure upgrades ahead of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, with a €30 million project to refurbish Terminal 1’s arrivals and departures areas, improve accessibility, and expand capacity.
Adjacent to the airport is the Volandia Aviation Museum, celebrating the region’s rich aviation history and attracting both enthusiasts and curious travelers.
Architecturally, Malpensa blends functionality with aesthetics, featuring sleek lines and glass structures that flood the spacious interiors with natural light. Overall, the airport exemplifies Italy’s ability to harmonize cultural heritage with the demands of modern, international travel, serving as a gateway that mirrors the sophistication, dynamism, and cosmopolitan spirit of Milan itself.
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