Malpensa strengthens its links with China
On 8 July 2026, SEA and Chongqing Airport Group signed a Strategic Cooperation Agreement to strengthen relations between Milan Malpensa (MXP) and Chongqing Airport (CKG), with the aim of promoting the development of air traffic between Europe and China.
The agreement aims to create new opportunities for passenger and freight connections, while supporting tourism, economic, commercial and cultural exchanges between Italy and China. The collaboration also includes the exchange of expertise in airport management, passenger services, commercial activities and the cargo sector.
For travellers, the agreement is part of a phase of strong growth in flights between Milan and China. Milan Malpensa records over 1.2 million passengers per year on routes with Greater China and a growth of 36% in the first half of 2026. The airport now offers connections operated by 7 airlines to 11 destinations in Greater China, for a total of 60 weekly flights.
On the afternoon of 9 July 2026, a major event was also held at the Royal Garden Hotel Assago to present the Milan Malpensa - Chongqing route with the presence of important guests including the Consul General of the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Milan, Zhang Chenggang, the President of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Italy Cheng Xuan, the President Huang Wei of Chongqing Airport, Liu Zhaocai, the General Manager of the Italian Office of the airline Hainan Airlines and SEA represented by the Chief Commercial Officer Luigi Battuello. The data that emerged from the speeches revealed very relevant data that confirm the importance of the Strategic Cooperation agreement.
Chongqing Jangbei International Airport, opened in 1990, is one of the Top 10 international hubs in China with 50,095 million passengers in 2025 and a forecast to grow in 2026 to 56 million passengers confirming it as a gateway to central-western China with over 230 Chinese destinations and more than 50 international and regional cities. The route with Chongqing shows a positive trend, with about 50,000 passengers per year and a growth of 10% in the first half of 2026. The figure confirms the growing interest in a destination that is increasingly important both for tourism and for economic and commercial relations.
In fact, in recent years Chongqing has established itself as one of China's emerging destinations. The city attracts an increasingly large international audience thanks to its spectacular skyline, contemporary architecture, food scene, cultural life and strong visibility on social media, especially among younger Travellers.
The strengthening of the collaboration between SEA and Chongqing Airport Group fosters and increases new tourist flows between Milan and western China, making a growing destination more accessible and increasing connection opportunities for business, leisure and cargo passengers.
Connections from Malpensa to Greater China are currently served by 7 airlines, thus confirming itself as the 3rd largest European airport in terms of number of carriers operating after London LHR and Paris CDG. There are 11 destinations from MXP to China, making Malpensa the 2nd airport in Europe for the number of direct connections after London LHR. While the 60 weekly flights to China place Malpensa in 4th place in Europe after London LHR, Frankfurt and Paris CDG.
Milan Malpensa (MXP) thus confirms its role as a strategic European gateway to the Chinese market. Reception at the airport is constantly maintained at high levels with increasingly personalized services for passengers, Premium Lounges and the quality of the travel retail offer. In 2025, luxury sales in Terminal 1 grew by 32.9%, supported in particular by non-European Travellers.
