Passenger traffic

Milan airports are among the major European airport systems, with 28.1 million passengers transported in 2015 (net of transits), in 2^nd place in Italy and 10th place in Europe for passenger traffic volumes and 1^st place in Italy and 5th place in Europe for freight traffic volumes.
At a national level, Malpensa is the second airport for passenger traffic volumes, with about 18.5 million passengers in 2015 (net of transits), as well as that with the greatest impact from non-EU traffic in Italy, while Linate in 2015 became the fourth Italian airport, with more than 9 million passengers.

Ranking of main European airports/airport systems by passenger traffic volumes - 2015 (,000 pax)*

* Including transit passengers.
Source: SEA, ACI Europe

In the course of 2015, airports managed by SEA Group showed an increase of more than 429 thousand passengers (+1.6%) and a decrease of more than 1,000 movements (-0.4%) over 2014. Malpensa recorded a 1.2% decrease in passengers and a 3.9% decrease in movements, while Linate recorded a 7.3% increase in passenger numbers and 5.7% increase in movements.

Performance indicators of Aviation Business of SEA airport system

Malpensa
In 2015, traffic on intercontinental routes served by Milan Malpensa was approximately 5.6 million passengers (+4.8% compared to 2014).

Malpensa - Daytime and night-time movements* (inbound and outbound) - 2015

During 2015, SEA Aviation sales policy was further enhanced, with specific activities aimed at increasing traffic and the network of connections, by securing new carriers and increasing the number of flights by the existing carriers, with a view to improving connectivity of airports and serving its catchment area.
SEA development strategy is aimed at identifying and acquiring new non-European carriers operating mainly on large hubs with a broad portfolio of connections. At the same time, it aims at expanding its European and domestic network, stimulating the existing carriers to make new investments and trying to seize new  opportunities, both among legacy operators and low-cost carriers.
Particular attention is devoted to cargo segment, with the 1.2% decrease in passengers and a 3.9% decrease in movements, while Linate recorded a 7.3% increase in passenger numbers and 5.7% increase in movements. aim of attracting new carriers and activating new routes, also by collaborating with integrated operators, in order to consolidate market leadership of Malpensa, which in 2015 managed over 50% of national activity in air freight sector. Aviation business is developed through constant daily contact with carriers, participating in international industry events and organizing dedicated roadshows. The main marketing tools include specific support programmes such as welcome packages and tailor made initiatives aimed at supporting and communicating airlines’ programmes. In this context, it is also worth mentioning the intense lobbying activity in negotiations for revising the Bilateral Agreements, with the aim of pursuing wider  liberalisation of traffic rights, including the fifth freedom rights.

Malpensa - Number of arriving and departing passengers - 2015

Malpensa - Number of passengers by origin and destination, transfers and transit - 2015

On the front of long-haul offerings, several carriers increased their capacity: Oman Air increased its frequencies by establishing daily connections to Muscat, Korean Air has operated three direct flights to Seoul (previously combined with Rome) since summer and added a fourth frequency, Air China boosted its connections from Malpensa making flights to Beijing and Shanghai daily (the latter becomes daily for the first time even in winter), Thai added a fourth frequency to Bangkok, Qatar increased its capacity by 30% with the introduction of the A330 also on the second daily flight, and United also increased the seats offered by operating with B777 instead of B767, during Expo, Alitalia boosted long-haul flights from Malpensa with a new daily flight to Abu Dhabi, three seasonal weekly flights to Shanghai, two to Algiers and made service to Tokyo daily instead of the current four weekly flights. Among service upgrades, we note Emirates, which on June 1 introduced the A380 for its flight to New York. A new destination, Santiago de Chile, was added to intercontinental connectivity: in winter Latam replaces TAM by introducing the continuation of San Paolo flight to the Chilean capital.
The new Iranian private carrier Mahan Air inaugurated two new flights to Tehran in June, and increased the service with a third frequency at the beginning of winter. European network is expanded with new destinations: Antwerp (Jetairfly), Izmir (Sun Express), Southampton and Cardiff (Fly Be).
Low-cost offerings also recorded several increases: the new Turkish carrier Pegasus introduced a service to Istanbul (4 flights/week), Wizzair increased frequencies to Budapest (from 11 to 14 per week), Vueling expanded its presence at Malpensa with new flights to Paris Orly, announcing a development for 2016 with Amsterdam, Las Palmas and Alicante. EasyJet introduced three new destinations in the network departing from Malpensa (Stuttgart from April, Glasgow and Tallin from December) and announced the addition of three aircraft from summer 2016.
December saw the start of Ryanair’s activity from Terminal 1 connecting four destinations, for a total of 28 weekly frequencies: London Stansted (2 flights per day), Comiso (1 flight per day), Bucharest (4 flights per week) and Seville (3 flights per week).

Destinations of passenger traffic from Terminal 1 - 2015

The distribution of passenger traffic by geographical area mainly showed growth in North America (+6.1%), Middle East (+15%), Far East (+19.6%) and Central America (+13.6%).

Linate
Starting from 2014 winter season, the Lupi Italian Ministerial Decree extended the possibility of operating point-to-point connections with all EU airports, leaving unaltered airport’s hourly capacity limits. Etihad partner carriers such as airberlin and FlyNiki, in agreement with Alitalia, transferred their operations from Malpensa to Linate, resulting in a reduction in Alitalia’s direct market share in favour of these carriers. During 2015, Alitalia showed a positive trend for passengers (+4%) mainly thanks to Cagliari and Alghero routes, where the carrier plays the key role that guarantees territorial continuity service. Trends were also positive towards Amsterdam, London City, Copenhagen, Berlin and Düsseldorf (the latter were not present in 2014).

Linate - Number of arriving and departing passengers - 2015

Linate-Fiumicino shuttle fell by 6% to 1.2 million passengers. This result is due to easyJet, which from May 2015 progressively reduced connections until their final suppression.

Linate – Number of passengers by origin and destination, transfers and transit in 2015

Linate - Number of daytime and night-time movements* (inbound and outbound) - 2015