Milan-Malpensa International Airport

“Lost luggage? That’s nothing compared to what happened at Milan-Malpensa International Airport back in 1998.” I say, adjusting my microphone. “Imagine, Alitalia, Italy’s flagship airline, decided to uproot its entire hub operation from Rome, a city steeped in aviation history, and transplant it to Milan-Malpensa Airport. Overnight, this quiet airport transformed into a bustling international gateway. Milan-Malpensa Airport wasn’t always a major player. Opened in 1948 as Aeroporto Città di Busto Arsizio, it initially saw modest traffic. Even the arrival of TWA’s long-haul flights to New York in 1950 didn’t catapult it to stardom. Linate Airport, closer to Milan’s city center, snagged most of the major European carriers by the early 1960s, leaving Milan-Malpensa in a bit of a slump. The ‘Malpensa 2000’ plan in the mid-1980s marked a turning point. Recognizing Linate’s limitations, the Italian Parliament designated Milan-Malpensa as northern Italy’s primary airport. This spurred the construction of a new terminal and better transport links. Milan-Malpensa Airport’s big moment arrived in 1998 with Alitalia’s move. Daily movements surged, passenger numbers skyrocketed, and the airport thrived. This growth continued until 2007, when the airport saw nearly 24 million passengers. But the good times didn’t last forever. In 2008, citing high operating costs, Alitalia shifted its hub back to Rome. Milan-Malpensa Airport lost a significant chunk of its traffic, and passenger numbers dipped. But Milan-Malpensa Airport is a resilient place. The operator, SEA, launched a global marketing campaign, attracting new routes and airlines. EasyJet established its second-biggest hub here. Ryanair followed suit, opening a base in 2015. Now officially named Aeroporto Internazionale di Milano-Malpensa “Silvio Berlusconi”, the airport continues to evolve. From testing prototypes in its early days to handling millions of passengers and tons of cargo, Milan-Malpensa International Airport has seen its share of ups and downs. It stands as a testament to the ever-changing landscape of air travel, a place where history has landed and taken off more than once.”