Milan Linate Airport Guide
Milan Linate is one of three airports serving Milan city – the others being Milan Malpensa and Bergamo – and the fifth busiest international airport in Italy. Although it is the quietest of Milan’s airports, Milan Linate airport’s location just 7km east of Italy’s second busiest city makes it a great choice for tourists and skiers alike.
Milan Linate Airport was originally built in the 1930s next to an artificial lake and was designed for seaplanes, which were believed to be the future of aviation. When the desire for seaplanes subsided the airport was redesigned accordingly. Although Milan Linate airport is small by todays standards it still sees just under 10 million passengers a year. Linate serves 185 destinations in 76 countries, but the most popular flights are short haul within Europe. Domestic Italian flights also make up a good bulk of their business, and almost 15% of travellers come just from Rome.
Milan Linate was original named Airport Enrico Forlanini after the locally-born inventor and aeronautical pioneer. It was completely rebuilt in the 1950s and then again in the 1980s, and today it consists of one three story passenger building. Italy’s national airline Alitalia have made the airport their base, and while low-cost flights aren’t as prevalent as other airports it is still possible to get well-priced European flights to Milan Linate from EasyJet, Air France, Aer Lingus & KLM.
Milan Linate’s close proximity to the city centre makes it a convenient choice for business travellers and weekend tourists looking to enjoy Milan’s fabulous architecture, cuisine and shopping. Skiers and snowboarders also use Linate airport during the winter months and can take advantage of its location relative to ski resorts. Some of Italy’s best ski resorts including Pila, La Thuile, Cervinia & Champoluc are accessible in under 2.5 hours. Quick access to the northern road network from Milan Linate airport also makes for convenient transfers not only to Italian ski resorts, but those in France and Switzerland too.
