Airports in Milan

Linate International Airport (LIN), officially called Airport Enrico Forlanini – after the Italian inventor and aeronautical engineer born in Milan – is one of three major airports in Milan. It was completely reconstructed in the 1950s, as well as the 1980s, in order to accommodate the increasing number of tourists visiting the area each year, and in 2010 it handled more than 8 million passengers. Flights to Milan Linate International Airport come from hubs in the UK and Europe.

Comprising one fairly tired-looking terminal building with two levels, Linate International can be somewhat crowded and chaotic at times. Thankfully, however, staff are friendly and helpful. There are five airbridges, which means that numerous flights are boarded via airport shuttles, thus increasing waiting times for many passengers.

Perhaps the greatest benefit of using Linate International is its close proximity to the city center. Located only 4.8 miles (7.8km) south-east of Milan, it’s a short, 15-minute drive to the capital of Lombardy.   

Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP), previously known as Aeroporto Citta diBusto Arsizio, is the largest of Milan’s three airports. With more than 100 airlines serving the airport, it’s Europe’s 21st busiest airport, having handled almost 19 million passengers in 2010. Flights to Milan Malpensa Airport arrive from main hubs in Europe, the UK, Asia, the US, Middle East and the Mediterranean.

Milan Malpensa constitutes two tired-looking passenger terminal buildings that are considerably far from one another. Fortunately, however, a shuttle service runs between them every 20 minutes, 24 hours a day. A new runway is currently underway, although flights are running to normal schedules. Construction of the new car park, by contrast, is restricting access to only a few public transport vehicles. As such, private vehicle owners are advised to park in P3 and the multi-story car parks until further notice.  

Although a fairly old airport, Milan Malpensa is efficient and staff are generally helpful and friendly. Queues usually flow easily and baggage handling systems are quick. Perhaps one major downside, is the airport’s lack of airbridges, which results in delays and long waiting times between gates and boarding.