April 18, 2026
Asiana Airlines' new Seoul-Milan Malpensa is "a route with great potential."
Daily services to South Korea
Asiana Airlines’ A350 is now operating on the route between Seoul and Milan Malpensa with three weekly flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays which, combined with Korean Air’s four flights, make for a daily service to South Korea.
Italy is a very attractive destination for Koreans
“We see great potential in this new route and it complements the route already operating from Rome,- said the airline’s vice-president, Jong Man Park, who attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony in Malpensa. -Italy is a very attractive destination for Koreans and Milan is a perfect combination from both a leisure and business perspective, with numerous trade fairs throughout the year. And whilst Rome has become very hot in summer, as have some of our other destinations such as Barcelona or Istanbul, and we see Milan is a valid alternative, and from there our passengers can also reach Austria and Switzerland.”
Malpensa has a portfolio of carriers of the highest calibre
"Italian passengers flying to Seoul “can choose from the numerous destinations in the Asiana network to Japan, Australia and, more generally, East Asia. We therefore expect a high number of Italian passengers to continue their journeys. Malpensa is among the top four European airports in terms of direct destinations served in Asia. There are huge volumes of traffic from Seoul to Italy and, increasingly, to Milan, but it is also very interesting to note that South Korea has become increasingly attractive to Italians in recent years for both cultural and economic reasons, so there is significant growth in both directions,- said Aldo Schmid, head of aviation business development, Sea Aeroporti di Milano.
Eight 5-star Skytrax airlines operate at Malpensa
"Asiana is one of the world’s most prestigious airlines, ranking among the ten that boast a 5-star Skytrax rating, and of these, eight operate at Malpensa, confirming a portfolio of carriers of the highest calibre. Over the last 12 months, some 120,000 passengers have travelled between Seoul and Milan a figure that rises to 1,500,000 when considering Malpensa’s wider catchment area, representing a 13% increase over the previous 12 months. A growing market, with an excellent balance between sales in Italy and those in Korea."
Concerns for Middle Eastern skies
Park makes no secret of his concerns regarding the ongoing stalemate in the skies over the Middle East due to the conflict in Iran. “The impact has been felt since the start of the war: the price of oil, and therefore of aviation fuel, has risen, and we will feel the effects from April and May onwards. We can only hope that the situation in the Middle East calms down."
"The fuel surcharge will certainly become a burden for travellers"
"Also affecting us is the fact that Middle Eastern carriers that used to carry many passengers between Asia and Europe are no longer operating. So we are seeing a shift in demand towards us. I notice, for example, passengers who used to fly from Manila in the Philippines, to London via Dubai, but are now moving towards Incheon. Manila, Incheon, London. In March, ticket prices rose significantly and the load factor was quite good. But now in April the introduction of the fuel surcharge will be felt. With the rise in oil prices, the fuel surcharge will increase and will certainly become a burden for travellers, with a consequent negative impact on us."
The surcharges could rise further in May
The surge in fuel surcharges among Korean airlines is more pronounced than that seen among carriers in other countries, mainly due to Korea’s heavy reliance on Middle Eastern crude oil. And, in any case, the surcharge does not fully offset the rise in oil prices, so if the current trend “were to continue, the surcharges would rise further in May and, if the crisis were to drag on, the situation would become even more worrying.”
Published in Transportation
Celebrating the first successful 20 years of the easyJet base at Milan Malpensa airport.
"We took a gamble"
It all began “with great enthusiasm and curiosity, but also a touch of scepticism," recalls Lorenzo Lagorio, country manager Italy, who has been with the company for 18 years. "
We started with three aircraft based there and around a hundred employees, with just 11 routes and fewer than 6,000 annual flights operated from Malpensa. We seized an opportunity (when Alitalia’s withdrew from the airport. Ed.) and took a gamble as flying was ceasing to be a privilege for the few, becoming accessible to many. We were in the midst of the "democratization" of air travel, and easyJet was its undisputed protagonist.”
Ten low-noise A321 neos and A320 neos
Today, with “22 aircraft based here, 76 routes and a capacity of 8.7 million seats across nearly 50,000 annual flights, easyJet is the leading carrier at Milan Malpensa and the investment continues. Of these aircraft as many as ten - roughly half - are new-generation models, seven A321neos and three A320neos that reflect our commitment to sustainability, with significantly reduced emissions and, above all, a noise impact over 50% lower than previous models."
23 routes and 1.7 million seats
The 2026 summer season will see "5.7 million seats to and from Malpensa across a network of 16 countries and several iconic destinations such as Cape Verde, the Lofoten Islands in Norway, Iceland, and the Caucasus.” This commitment to Milan and Lombardy has, since last year, also included Linate. “Here we operate 23 routes with 1.7 million seats available for the summer, five aircraft are based here and there are over 180 employees, confirming easyJet's position as the leading carrier in terms of capacity offered at Malpensa and Linate, with around 12 million seats available. This encourages us to continue investing and collaborating with partners and institutions." At Malpensa easyJet also operates a Training Centre, with nine flight simulators and state-of-the-art technology, to train over 8,000 pilots and cabin crew from across Europe annually.
Brunini: “Malpensa's national carrier would be orange”
“easyJet is the closest thing Malpensa has to a national carrier. The airline invested at a pivotal moment in Malpensa’s history- an airport built to be a hub without a hub carrier. easyJet has partly filled that void and today operates an extensive network of some100 routes. Many are European capitals served with multiple daily flights, while others are unique leisure destinations, operated exclusively by easyJet. If there were to be a national carrier at Malpensa, it would certainly orange," says Armando Brunini, CEO of SEA Milan Airports.
Published in Transportation
A war that is turning into yet another test for international tourism, challenging the resilience of a global industry that has had to deal all too often with conflict. Pages of history we would not have wanted to tell - and would not want to tell again – but which are being thrust back into the spotlight. And once again, it is deeply saddening to think that we might become accustomed to it all.
Yet, less than two weeks after the start of the war in Iran, which initially paralyzed air traffic that had made the Middle East one of the world's key transport hubs, travellers are still planning their travels. Perhaps reconsidering their original itineraries, leading to a shift in the classic international tourist flow trends. This is highlighted by a study by the tourism consultancy firm Mabrian, which notes a significant deterioration in the perception of safety in several Middle Eastern destinations, along with the first signs of a change in demand.
The analysis, based on data relating to traveller sentiment and demand behaviour in the main outbound markets (the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Italy), shows a decline in confidence in several Gulf destinations Something that could open up new opportunities for other tourism markets. According to Mabrian there are already early signs that some of the demand usually directed towards the Middle East could be redirected towards European nations which are perceived as safer and more established. Countries such as Spain, Italy or Greece, although of course at this stage it is premature to assume a structural change in global demand.
For now the data mainly reflect shifts in perceptions and travel intentions but, if the conflict were to continue, it could mean more noticeable changes in bookings.
Mariella Cattaneo
Journalist
Published in Editorial
Abruzzo’s Pescara Airport is thinking big and aiming at attracting intercontinental flights.
An extended runway for intercontinental flights
Reaching Abruzzo with a direct flight from overseas? The project could be more realistic than you might think now that Pescara International Airport has completed the extension of its runway. With the additional 400 metres, bringing the total length to 2,800 metres, the airport “will also be able to accommodate intercontinental flights,” explains SAGA the management company. “We are working on, it, discussing with new airlines, with whom we are in constant contact to ensure a couple of iconic destinations.” The runway extension was also accompanied by an upgrade of the landing equipment, meaning increased safety.
One million one hundred thousand passengers
While awaiting further developments, Pescara International Airport is aiming for a new record-breaking season. Throughout the summer the airport will be connected to a record 24 domestic and international destinations. “These expectations are in addition to the results we achieved in 2025. Today we have an increasingly connected airport that has exceeded one million one hundred thousand passengers, recording a 35% growth in passenger numbers, and making it the leading airport in Italy (with more than one million passengers) for the largest increase in travellers compared to the previous year.”
Abruzzo National Park - credits: Saga
Abruzzo is the green heart of Europe
With an increase in destinations and frequencies during the winter season and planned for the upcoming summer, and the results achieved in 2025, "which have already taken us beyond the one million mark, the expectation for 2026 is to reach approximately 1.4 million passengers. The international segment accounts for 51% of total traffic. There is also a substantial balance between incoming and outgoing destinations which is important for tourism and the economic development of the entire region.” Abruzzo is “green heart of Europe” with three national parks - Majella, Gran Sasso-Laga, Abruzzo-Lazio-Molise - and one regional park, as well as a marine protected area and over 30 nature reserves.
credits: Saga
Pescara International Airport relies on low-cost airlines
Pescara International Airport “relies exclusively on low-cost airlines, Ryanair and Wizz Air as well as Luxair - with the Irish airline accounting for 89% of regional traffic. Since last year Ryanair has invested further in the airport, with a second aircraft based there, and increased destinations and frequencies, thanks to the Region's decision to abolish the municipal surcharge. This was a forward-looking choice which, by eliminating boarding fees for airlines, has made the airport much more attractive to other carriers. Wizz Air has also strengthened its presence, and we are confident that other airlines will also have a growing interest in operating at Pescara International Airport.”
Published in Transportation
The Milan-Cortina Olympics have been a testing ground for Busitalia to become a leader in mobility at major events.
Not only B2C but also B2B customers
And in this regard Busitalia is aiming high says Serafino Lo Piano, CEO and general manager of the Trenitalia company specialized in public road transport and integrated mobility. Lo Piano outlines the company’s short and medium-term objectives. “While it will still take time to achieve the desired brand awareness, Busitalia has made progress since my arrival last March. Our goal is to be recognizable not only in local public transport but also in the tourism market. And so not only B2C but also B2B customers: we want to become leaders in mobility linked to major events in Italy.”
“A 100% satisfaction rate for the Winter Olympics”
The Winter Games have been a privileged showcase for Busitalia, presenting it to the world with all its potential to become a leader in the MICE sector. “From 23 January, when transport for the Olympics began, we have made 46,000 journeys, transporting athletes, staff, journalists, etc., with a satisfaction rate of practically 100%." And regarding events, there is “the partnership signed in 2025 with Federcongressi: an important contact that brings us closer to organizations with which we can open up new possibilities for collaboration.”
City Sightseeing Italia: the way to discover Italy
In 2026, Busitalia made headlines with the acquisition of City Sightseeing Italia, “an internationally recognized brand that represents a further addition to our company's transport chain. Trenitalia passengers, who also travel for other reasons, can take advantage of City Sightseeing's services and discover many different cities.”
Published in Transportation
Italy is allocating €5 million to support the promotion of Calabria, Sardinia and Sicily on the wake of Cyclone Harry.
A “positive counter-attack” to the cyclone
“Promptness makes the difference”: so say the Ministry of Tourism and ENIT which are launching a “positive counter-narrative” on the situation in Calabria, Sardinia and Sicily after Cyclone Harry, which weakened the international tourism visibility of a highly strategic area in Southern Italy.
The ministry will allocate €5 million to support tourism
“The ministry will allocate €5 million to support tourism in the areas affected by Cyclone Harry,- said Tourism Minister Daniela Santanchè during the conference held yesterday at the BIT travel exhibition in Milan. “Welcome to Southern Italy. Sicily, Calabria and Sardinia: the wonder never stops” is the slogan that will support the promotional campaign and the participation of these three regions at all international fairs.
Promotions at the most important travel fairs
The aim is to send a clear message to potential Asian and American tourists about the accessibility and possibility of visiting these areas as early as spring and then, of course, in summer. " We must safeguard our tourist destinations — including in terms of communication and storytelling — to ensure that the harm already suffered is not intensified by narratives that inflict further, unfair, and potentially irreversible damage to their image. And so we will promote these regions in the most important markets so that they do not lose a single tourist.” The next event is the ITB in Berlin (3-5 March), where the Ministry of Tourism, ENIT and the regions concerned will introduce promotional initiatives in support of the destinations affected by the cyclone. “Germany is the leading market for Calabria and Sardinia and the second largest for Sicily."
The Ministry will work with ENIT and the three regions
Communications will primarily involve the web: “Tourism is a highly digitized sector, so an efficient message is needed to reach millions of people”. Global content creators will be engaged, and there will be ad hoc media tours in the main markets of the three regions, such as the USA, the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, Poland, the Czech Republic, France, Benelux, Spain and Austria. Minister Santanché will be joined by ENIT’s CEO Ivana Jelinic, the councillors for tourism of the Sicily Region, Elvira Amata, and the Sardinia Region, Franco Cuccureddu, as well as the president of the Calabria Region, Roberto Occhiuto.
Jelinic: “We must not allow reality to be distorted”
“Sicily, Calabria and Sardinia are unique destinations that attract tourists from all over the world every year, and we must preserve them by telling their story in the right way,- added Ivana Jelinic. -We must not allow reality to be distorted; With commitment and transparency, we aim to share an accurate and authentic narrative of these territories, encouraging travellers to immerse themselves in what they have to offer, investing locally also giving a boost to the local economy."
Amata: “We must turn the emergency into a great opportunity”
President Occhiuto called for “the promotion of tourism in the regions to be included in the framework of Italian promotion: we should use the 'Italy driver” to promote Calabria, given that foreigners often do not know where it really is.” “Sicily is here and we are expecting many visitors,- said Elvira Amata -We must turn the emergency into a great opportunity for renewed communication. Sicily is so much more: seven UNESCO sites, coastline, parks and protected areas. We are working hard on experiential tourism, on sustainable proposals such as cycle paths, horse trails and the Day of Walks (12 April 2026) to deseasonalize and delocalize, showing our lesser-known side.”
Sardinia has 18 new UNESCO Sites
Cuccureddu emphasized the importance of effective communications. “In recent months Sardinia has achieved historic goals: 18 new UNESCO sites, among the 25 best destinations in the world selected for 2026 by Lonely Planet and the only European region in the ‘Best in Travel 2026’ category. We have the most beautiful beach in the world and this year, for the first time, a direct flight from the US. But then the cyclone hit and what happened? Those who has booked for this summer ask for pictures of our beaches because they think they no longer exist." The reality is different, and it deserves to be told.”
Published in Transportation
American Airline is on track, with record operations on Italian routes planned for the summer season.
“Up to 13 daily flights from the United States”
Summer 2026 will be a new record-breaking season for American Airlines' schedule in Italy, where “we are expecting our most extensive operations ever,” says José Freig, VP international and inflight dining operations American Airlines. The US airline will have “up to 13 daily flights from the United States, a record-breaking service that will include connections to Rome Fiumicino, Milan Malpensa, Naples and Venice.” At Milan Malpensa airport, the airline will operate up to three flights a day, setting “an absolute record for the northern Italian airport."
Fares remain competitive
A careful look at the market shows that there is extremely high demand on routes between the United States and Italy, which leaves little room for excess capacity. But currently “fares remain competitive. Italy is one of the most popular summer destinations for US travellers, and we continue to expand our presence here to meet the growing number of people eager to discover its culture, history and vibrant food scene.”
“Growing loyalty among Italian passengers”
Certainly challenges lie ahead: “Airlines around the world will continue to face the challenge of rising costs, a trend that will not disappear in the short term. But the opportunities we see in the Italian market are significant: we are seeing growing loyalty among Italian passengers, the expansion of our network and a steadily increasing number of travellers seeking premium experiences. We are responding to this demand with the introduction of new aircraft, new lounges and additional benefits for AAdvantage® members."
The summer schedule
The schedule for the summer includes daily Rome Fiumicino flights from New York (JFK); year-round daily from Philadelphia (PHL); daily from Chicago (ORD); daily from Charlotte (CLT); daily from Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) and daily from Miami (MIA). For Milan Malpensa, flights will be daily from New York (JFK); daily from Philadelphia (PHL) and daily (new for 2026) from Miami (MIA). For Venice Marco Polo there will be daily flights from Philadelphia (PHL) and from Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), while for Naples-Capodichino the flights from Philadelphia (PHL) will be daily, as will those from Chicago (ORD.
Published in Transportation
Olbia will be one of the three new destinations served by BA Cityflyer this summer.
BA Cityflyer's route map nears 30 destinations
The airline, wholly owned by British Airways, will fly from London Stansted to Olbia in Sardinia, from London City to Toulon Saint-Tropez and from Glasgow to San Sebastián. With these three new additions, BA Cityflyer's route map will grow to almost 30 destinations across Europe.
Also London City to Olbia
The Olbia route will operate between 23 May and 27 September 2026, with two weekly flights on Saturdays and Sundays. BA Cityflyer will also launch a seasonal summer route in May 2025 from London City to Olbia, complementing the new service from London Stansted. In practice, the carrier will fly to Olbia up to five times a week in summer 2026 from London City and twice a week from London Stansted.
All flights have a Club Europe cabin
"Olbia from Stansted Airport is perfect for a holiday delighting in the crystal-clear waters and beautiful Mediterranean landscapes of Sardinia, and it complements British Airways' existing services from London City and Heathrow airports, offering even more choice and flexibility to those planning their summer holidays in 2026.” All flights include a Club Europe (business class) cabin, which offers more personal space, additional baggage allowance, priority boarding and a selection of delicious meals with full service.
Published in Transportation
A few days before the opening of the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Malpensa Airport has posted a surge in passenger traffic, having already welcomed some 1,400 travellers.
There are 77 delegations at the Games
These included athletes and technical staff, with 2,800 pieces of hold luggage, 1,400 items of sports equipment and 1,600 oversized items of luggage (including hockey sticks, boots, skates, bicycles and crates containing food and medicines). There are 77 delegations represented at the Games, with the largest groups from the United States (350), Korea (100), Japan (50) and Finland (50).
53 heads of state will attend the event
Added to these numbers are the 4,600 journalists, media operators and representatives of the Olympic Committees, with 7,200 pieces of luggage, and the 200 VIP guests of the Olympic family, sponsors and 53 heads of state and government, who complete the flow of international arrivals.
200 volunteers provide support
The recently refurbished Terminal 1 has been equipped to handle the high influx of passengers and the handling of special materials. 200 SEA volunteers have been called in to support operations on a daily basis Alongside the airport’s operational staff, to welcome athletes and assist their teams. To ensure efficiency and speed of operations, 300 special trolleys are being used to transport sports equipment and technical materials.
A 24-hour Action Room monitors flows
Milan Malpensa is not only a point of arrival, but also the first point of contact with Italy for athletes and delegations: official passes are collected at the airport, equipment checks are carried out and logistics are coordinated for transfer to the Olympic villages and competition venues. The coordination is entrusted to the Action Room, a 24-hour, logistics operations centre where SEA staff, official supporter of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, work closely with the Milan Cortina 2026 Foundation. Here arrival flows are monitored and analyzed in order to plan all operations, integrating information on air traffic, transport and security, ensuring efficiency and speed in the movement of people and materials.
Telling the emotional stories behind the Games
Milan Malpensa is also becoming a communications hub for the Games thanks to the MXP Media Lab, a SEA project in collaboration with IULM University and Unimi. This involves a dedicated team of nine students who are providing support to SEA's communications department in the production of editorial content (photographs and videos) that tells the story of the happenings and the emotions associated with Milan Cortina 2026.
Published in Transportation
The ribbon has been cut for the new rail link between Terminal 2 at Milan Malpensa Airport and Gallarate, on the Sempione railway line.
Milan Central Station to Gallarate
The project was promoted, coordinated and managed by Ferrovienord, a company belonging to the FNM group. From 23 January, all Trenord Malpensa Express trains departing from Milan Central Station will arrive in Gallarate via Terminals 1 and 2 of Milan Malpensa Airport and make the same journey in the opposite direction, departing from Gallarate.
Gallarate to the airport in eight minutes
With this new service it will be possible to reach the airport from Gallarate in eight minutes (Terminal 2) and 15 minutes (Terminal 1), compared to the half hour previously required. The project represents the completion of rail access from the north to Malpensa and is part of the EU's “Global Project” Malpensa T1 - Malpensa T2 - Sempione line, which has been operating since 2016 between Terminals T1 and T2. The completion of this project therefore enhances routes to the Milan area, making them more efficient, faster and more sustainable. The airport thus becoming an interchange hub with short- and medium-range, high-speed and cross-border rail services.
“Better service to Milan”
“SEA is celebrating this important project, not only because it creates a direct and fast rail link with Gallarate, an important city in the Malpensa area, but also because it lays the foundations for completing the railway upgrade around the airport through works that will involve the expansion of rail links between the airport and the northern part of the country, including Switzerland. Enabling better service to Milan and facilitating the introduction of high-speed trains, it is a fundamental part of the infrastructural upgrade to make Malpensa not only an airport hub, but also an intermodal hub for the country.” said Armando Brunini, CEO of SEA Milan Airport.s
Starting before the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympics
The inauguration of the project is due to take place shortly before the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Games, during which air traffic is expected to “experience a peak increase, especially in tourism, not unlike what is generally seen in July.” Andrea Severini, CEO of Trenord, added: ‘Today we are taking delivery of the result of years of work. The new connection speeds up travel between Gallarate and the airport and increases connections from Varese, Porto Ceresio and Lake Maggiore.”
Published in Transportation
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