Milano Malpensa Airport has entered its peak arrival phase ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, handling record passenger volumes under a dedicated Olympic operations plan. To date, the airport has welcomed around 1,400 athletes and technical staff from 77 delegations, alongside 4,600 journalists and media representatives, 200 VIP guests and 53 heads of state and government.
The influx has involved complex logistics, including the handling of thousands of bags, sports equipment and oversized items such as skis, bicycles and specialist supplies. Recently refurbished Terminal 1 has been fully prepared for the surge, supported by 200 SEA volunteers and hundreds of specialised trolleys to ensure efficient processing.
Beyond arrivals, Malpensa is acting as the Games’ first operational hub, managing accreditations, equipment checks and coordination of onward transport to Olympic venues. Operations are overseen around the clock via a dedicated Action Room in close cooperation with the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation, while the airport also serves as a communications hub through the MXP Media Lab, documenting the Games’ arrival phase.