Milan Malpensa International Airport Guide
Milan Malpensa Airport sits near the town of Ferno in the Varese province, inside the Ticino Valley nature reserve. It is the largest airport in northern Italy and the second busiest in the country after Rome Fiumicino, serving Lombardy, Piedmont and Liguria as well as the neighbouring Swiss canton of Ticino. ITA Airways and Ryanair use it as a base, alongside long-haul carriers flying to Asia, the Middle East and North America.
The site began as an aviation testing ground in 1909, when Giovanni Agusta and Gianni Caproni trialled aircraft prototypes there. Commercial passenger service started on 21 November 1948. Two parallel runways, each 3,920 metres long, handle the airport's traffic. A free shuttle bus links the two passenger terminals, with a transfer taking under ten minutes.
Long-haul traffic grew sharply in 2024 with new routes to Bangkok, Chongqing, Guiyang, Chengdu, Xi'an and Tokyo Haneda. SEA S.p.A., which also runs Milan Linate, owns and operates the airport.
Services
5 of 6 availableCompare 28 listed options at Milan Malpensa International Airport, spanning parking, car rentals, lounges, hotels and shuttles. Each guide sets out locations, distance from the airport, key features and links to book direct, so you can weigh cost against convenience before you fly. Select a service below to see every provider we track for Milan Malpensa International Airport.
Location
Key facts
- Size
- 29M passengers (2024)2 runwaysopened 1948
- Location
- 45.631, 8.728
- Operator
- SEA S.p.A. (Società Esercizi Aeroportuali)
Terminals
2 terminalsMilan Malpensa International Airport has 2 passenger terminals — Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, handling both international and domestic flights for around 9 airlines. Check which terminal your airline uses before you travel, as check-in, security and boarding points differ between them, and moving from one to another can take time.
- Terminal 1Mixed
ITA Airways, Ryanair, Lufthansa, Air France, Emirates, Qatar Airways, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines
Concourses Concourse A · Concourse B · Concourse C
- Terminal 2Mixed
easyJet
Nearby cities
4 citiesMilan Malpensa International Airport is closest to Gallarate (8 km northeast), and also serves Busto Arsizio, Varese and other nearby areas. With 4 towns and cities within reach, it is a practical gateway for the wider region. Distances shown are straight-line from the airport, so allow extra time for road transfers, traffic and parking.
- Milan45 km southeast
- Busto Arsizio10 km east
- Gallarate8 km northeast
- Varese37 km north
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the airport codes for Milan Malpensa International Airport?
What are the airport codes for Milan Malpensa International Airport?
Where is Milan Malpensa International Airport located?
Where is Milan Malpensa International Airport located?
What services are available at Milan Malpensa International Airport?
What services are available at Milan Malpensa International Airport?
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