Milan's airport system closed 2025 at a record 42.3 million passengers (+8%) — Malpensa at 31.4 million (+8.6%, the strongest growth of any major Italian airport), Linate at 11.1 million — with long-haul now a quarter of the network.
2025 system totals: 42.3 million passengers (+8%) across Malpensa (31.2M, +8.6%) and Linate (11.1M) — records across the board, inside an Italian record of 230 million airport passengers. Malpensa's growth ran 3.5 points above the national average; even January–February 2026 added another 7%.
The network story is long-haul: 27.4% of Malpensa's 204-destination map is intercontinental, direct to 82 countries. 2025 additions — Delta to Boston, American to Philadelphia, Vietnam Airlines to Hanoi — plus returning Asian flags ANA, Cathay Pacific, EVA and Thai. International passengers are 80% of traffic. The airports funnelled 11.4 million visitors into Lombardy and beyond, an estimated €11.6-billion impact.
The system's third wheel: Bergamo Orio al Serio closed 2025 at ~16.9 million (−2.4%) after Ryanair's spring withdrawal and autumn comeback. Operator SEA invested €152 million in 2025 — Terminal 1 refurbishment, seismic works, Linate's new photovoltaic plant — with T1XL's 14,500-m² extension and a future north pier queued behind.
Malpensa is Europe's most interesting un-hub: no anchor airline, yet 204 destinations, 82 countries, 80% international traffic and a long-haul rebuild that brought back ANA, Cathay, EVA and Thai while adding Delta Boston, American Philadelphia and Vietnam Airlines Hanoi. The demand is O&D — Milan is Italy's business metropolis, and the world wants in. Practically: Malpensa Express from Centrale (51 min) or Cadorna (37 min) beats road traffic; Linate, 7 km from the Duomo on metro M4, is the business-traveller play for domestic and European hops; Bergamo (16.9M, Ryanair country) is the budget option with the longest transfer. The watch item is congestion: check-in and screening strain at peak, hence SEA's €65-million T1XL first phase and the planned north pier. Italy's airports hit 230 million in 2025 — Milan's system is the growth engine of the north.
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