Malpensa Airport begins €30 million terminal upgrade ahead of Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics

Credit: MILANO MALPENSA

Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) has unveiled a €30 million infrastructure investment plan to prepare for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. The initiative aims to enhance Terminal 1’s efficiency and quality, ensuring a high-standard welcome for athletes, delegations, media, and passengers.

Details on Malpensa Airport’s terminal upgrade

Despite being held during the low season, the Games, from 23 January to 20 March 2026, are expected to bring summer-level traffic, with 340,000 passengers projected over 60 days. As the Primary Olympic Airport, Malpensa will be the main entry point for Milan, Valtellina, and other Olympic venues, with 73% of participating nations having direct air links to the airport. In the week before the opening ceremony, over 15,500 stakeholders and more than 150,000 spectators are expected to arrive, accounting for around 75% of the total.

Key works include the full redesign of external departure and arrival areas, focusing on accessibility and aesthetics. The arrivals zone will be refurbished as a first-contact and athlete meeting area, featuring green spaces, innovative materials, new lighting, and modern seating with charging stations to create eco-friendly relaxation zones.

A new bus parking area will be added at the railway station level, tailored for Olympic traffic. Routes for athletes and Passengers with Reduced Mobility (PRMs) will be upgraded for full autonomy and accessibility, with all architectural barriers removed across Terminal 1 access points.

A dedicated area for handling athletes’ luggage will also be created, with shelving and systems to manage large volumes of oversized items. On the peak day, 23 February 2026, Malpensa expects 80 skiers carrying up to 4,000 oversized bags, including ski bags up to 270 cm in length.

Further enhancements will improve the passport control area and Entry/Exit System, while the Ceremonial Lounge for Heads of State and officials will be refurbished. All automatic doors at Terminal 1’s entrances and exits will also be replaced, with upgraded finishes to match the airport’s renewed design.

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