Record number of arrivals at Malpensa for the Olympic Games
At Milan Malpensa Airport, the flow of passengers linked to the Games came alive a few days before the opening of the event. The airport has already welcomed about 1,400 people including athletes and staff, with an impressive handling of luggage: 2,800 checked luggage, 1,400 sports equipment and 1,600 oversized luggage, which include hockey sticks, boots, skates, bicycles and crates dedicated to the transport of food and medicines.
There are 77 delegations present, with the largest contingents coming from the United States (350 people), Korea (100), Japan (50) and Finland (50), confirming Malpensa's role as the main international gateway for Italy on the occasion of the Games.
In addition to the numbers of athletes, there are those from the world of information and institutions: 4,600 journalists, media operators and representatives of the Olympic Committees, accompanied by 7,200 pieces of luggage, as well as 200 VIP guests linked to the IOC, the Olympic Family and sponsors, and 53 Heads of State and Government who complete the picture of international arrivals.
Terminal 1, recently redeveloped, has been set up to handle the high intensity of traffic and the handling of special materials.
Every day, 200 SEA volunteers are engaged, working together with airport staff to welcome delegations and assist teams in the various stages of arrival. To support logistics operations, 300 special trolleys are used, dedicated to the transport of sports equipment and technical materials.
For athletes and delegations, Milan Malpensa is not only an arrival stopover, but the first point of contact with Italy. Here the official passes are collected, the equipment checks are carried out and the entire logistics are coordinated in view of the transfers to the Olympic villages and the competition venues.
Operational coordination is entrusted to the Action Room, a 24-hour logistics center, where the staff of SEA Milan Airports, Official Supporter of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, works in close contact with the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation. From here, arrival flows are monitored and data on air traffic, transport and safety are integrated, to ensure efficiency and speed in the management of people and materials.
Alongside the logistical role, Malpensa also becomes a communication hub for the Games thanks to the MXP Media Lab, a SEA project carried out in collaboration with IULM University and the University of Milan. A dedicated team of nine students supports SEA's communication area in the production of photographic and video content, telling the adventure and emotions of Milano Cortina 2026 from the airport.
