In the summer peak, Milan’s Linate Airport has closed for three months for major runway renovation works. Matteo Legnani reports from the Italian city to learn how Malpensa is picking up the slack.
If you ask a group of Milan locals to choose between Malpensa (MXP) and Linate (LIN), it’s likely the vast majority will opt for the latter. The complex – officially named Aeroporto Enrico Forlanini – has always been the first choice among the natives, primarily due to its proximity to the city. Situated just six miles (10km) from Duomo di Milano (the cathedral situated in the historical and geographical centre), it is so close to downtown that on clear days it is possible to see aircraft climbing out of the airfield after taking off from Runway 36.
The site at Linate was inaugurated in 1937 and lies adjacent to the Idroscalo, an artificial lake that was once a seaplane hub. Since then, the facility has been renewed and enlarged several times with a notable overhaul ahead of the 1990 FIFA World Cup when a new boarding area with jetways was added and, more recently, when low ceilings in the checkin hall were removed to allow for a brighter and airier environment. Other improvements include the reconstructio…
