EasyJet is further expanding its network in Italy for summer 2026 with new routes from France and the UK to Cagliari, Bari, Rome.

The first domestic flights from Milan Linate to Brindisi

Starting in March new routes will be introduced to Cagliari, Bari and Rome Fiumicino, strengthening connections with some of the most popular destinations in France and the United Kingdom. Then, in June, the airline's first domestic connection between Milan Linate and Brindisi will debut. The summer schedule also includes the launch, on 30 March, of the Rome Fiumicino-Newcastle route, scheduled twice a week, every Monday and Friday.

Milan Linate is a new base

From 23 June 2026, it will be possible to reach Brindisi from Milan Linate with four weekly flights on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. This is the first domestic route operated from the new Milan base, which will open in spring 2026, expanding the range of connections between the Lombardy capital and Puglia already provided by Milan Malpensa.

Two weekly Manchester-Bari flights

From 3 July Bari will also be connected to Manchester with two weekly flights, on Mondays and Fridays. Finally, from 23 June 2026, Cagliari airport will see the arrival of two international connections from France: the first will link Bordeaux ro Cagliari with flights every Tuesday and Friday. On the same day, the new route from Nice will also start, operating on Tuesdays and Saturdays, connecting the lively Côte d'Azur to Sardinia. With these new additions, Cagliari airport will be able to count on connections from four French cities, adding Bordeaux and Nice to the already established Lyon and Paris routes.

Ryanair is investing in Milan (but not in Rome) this summer 2026. 

Three new aircraft at Malpensa and Bergamo airports 

The focus is on costs, which must remain “competitive, and are an important strategic lever that allows Ryanair to offer increasingly attractive fares to its passengers.” said Eddie Wilson, CEO of the Irish low-cost airline in Milan recently, outlining the investments in Malpensa and Bergamo for summer 2026. The two bases will see the addition of “three aircraft for a total of 33, which will serve 156 routes, including seven new routes, with the aim of carrying 20.3 million passengers per year, about 9% more than in 2025”.

Four new routes from Malpensa and three from Bergamo

Milan Bergamo will see the addition of two new aircraft, bringing the total to 24, and three new routes to Lemnos (Greece), Pescara and Rabat; the low-cost airline estimates 14 million passengers (+6%) at the Bergamo airport. Malpensa will have one more aircraft (9 in total) and four new routes: Edinburgh, Plovdiv (Bulgaria), Tirana and Warsaw. The airport is targeting six million passengers, a growth of +15%.

“We would carry 20 million more passengers per year”

“We are growing significantly at both Lombardy airports: we have worked closely with SACBO and SEA to make this growth possible, showing that competitive conditions and efficient operations are essential to unlock real growth,- says Wilson. -This is why we are reiterating our appeal to the Italian government to cancel the municipal surcharge. This has already happened in several Italian regions, a list that is growing: after Friuli, Abruzzo, Calabria and Sicily, it now also includes the small airports in Emilia Romagna. If the Italian government abolished the tax we would be ready to operate 250 additional routes with 40 more aircraft at Italian bases to carry 20 million more passengers per year."

The situation at Rome's airports

Rome's competitive disadvantage is penalized “by excessively high taxes - almost €50 per passenger - which make Rome's airports inadequate compared to other European airports”, said Wilson who added that in 2026 Rome will not see any growth due to the cap on the number of flights at Ciampino and the excessive airport charges applied by ADR (+44% at Ciampino and +15% at Fiumicino by 2028). “These anti-growth policies are making Rome increasingly less competitive compared to other major capitals such as London, which does not impose flight limits, and compared to EU countries such as Sweden, Hungary and Slovakia or certain Italian regions, where governments are actively reducing aviation taxes to stimulate traffic, tourism and employment.”  Due to excessive access costs, Rome and some Italian regions – particularly the islands – are experiencing a reduction in connectivity, with legacy carriers reducing capacity on domestic routes. In practice, the Roman summer will include 16 based aircraft (10 at Fiumicino and 6 at Ciampino), for a total of 75 routes served (52 of which at Fiumicino) and a forecast of 10.6 million passengers per year.

32 Italian airports and 800 routes in Italy

Ryanair has every intention of maintaining its position as number one in terms of passenger traffic in Italy: the low-cost airline dominates our market with 32 airports served (including 20 bases, including the new one in Trapani from January 2026), 800 routes (40 of which are new) and a target of carrying 69 million passengers per year. On a European level, with 96 bases and 224 airports served in 36 countries, the company aims to reach “207 million in the 2026 financial year and then rise to 300 million in 2034”.

Rimini, which is on the hunt for new European and international visitors, has presented its new "Rimini 4 Seasons Collection. More than a city. More than a destination" campaign from VisitRimini.

Rimini is focusing on congresses and trade fairs

Figures show that in 2024 “Rimini and its province recorded 3.7 million arrivals, for 15 million overnight stays,-  says Rimini municipal sport and culture councillor Michele Lari. -Of these 7.5 million just in the city; international arrivals, in particular, recorded a growth of +8%. The first 2025 figures are comforting: from January to August growth is +0.6% over 2024 and +10% over 2023. In the first half of the year alone, the increase is +6.1% over the same period last year. Numbers that highlight an ongoing deseasonalization, and the focus on new tourism targets: no longer just the seaside, but congresses and trade fairs linked to sport and culture".

“Foreign visitors at Infopoints even in October” 

“There is a strong focus on foreign visitors, who in 2024 represented the “33-35% of the total number of visitors,- said  Coralie Delaubert, VisitRimini destination manager. -And this summer, thanks also to the expansion of flights operating to and from Rimini airport - for example, we had as many as three airlines operating from London - the numbers have grown. As they have also from the Polish and Hungarian markets, alongside the historic German market. The numerous geo-localized promotions have given ample feedback, with many foreign visitors at our infopoints, even in October, which is a sign that the season has lengthened.”

Eyeing the US market for weddings, MICE and tourism

 “We are thinking about moving beyond Europe and are aiming first and foremost at the US  market which, we know, is very sensitive to Federico Fellini., an iconic Rimini figure. VisitRimini also has a tender from the Municipality for the management of civil ceremonies in municipal venues, so we are presenting ourselves as a wedding planner, a segment where there is very high potential. We want to be a benchmark for those who want to organize wedding, MICE or tourism events in our area. So the US can be a very important market for us.” Strong international visibility will be ensured on the occasion of Routes Europe, “scheduled from 13 to 15 May 2026,  and a truly important opportunity to make Rimini known, while potentially increasing flights into Rimini airport.”

It’s a new era for Milan Bergamo Airport, with the official inauguration of the new departures terminal, which cost €55 million.

The introduction of latest-generation X-ray machines 

The work began in March 2024 and ended “after 622 days, in total compliance with the planned timetable,- says SACBO president Giovanni Sanga, -with an investment of €55 million, of which €41 million for the infrastructural part and €14 million for the purchase of latest-generation X-ray machines. This is an important step for our airport, which in the last quarter of a century has become strategic for domestic and international connections.”

Liquids and electronic devices can be kept in hand luggage

The enlargement of the eastern front of the terminal now has a new area on the first floor on 7,500 sqm with 14 lines for security checks equipped with the most advanced technological machines, which allow liquids of up to two litres per container and electronic devices to be kept in hand luggage. The first line is reserved for passengers with reduced mobility, families with small children and fast-track passengers. Access to the security control area is regulated by nine gates for reading boarding passes.

30 new self check-in stations 

On the ground floor of the departures terminal, the 4,300 sqm area has been renovated with the enlargement of the check-in hall with 30 new stations in self check-in mode, for a total of 64, and the doubling of the space reserved for the baggage sorting system. The infrastructural works programme also made it possible to expand the non-Schengen departure area by 840 sqm, with the addition of two new boarding gates.

"There is also a presence detection system based on artificial intelligence, which makes it possible to monitor passenger flows in real time, and on the upper floor of the terminal there is the new duty-free shop” The inauguration - attended by the civil, military and religious authorities, with  ENAC president Pierluigi Di Palma and Assaeroporti president Carlo Borgomeo – was an introduction to the next, fundamental step forward which will be the railway connection that by the end of 2026 will link “the airport to the centre of Bergamo and Milan, with up to 154 trains a day, via Treviglio or Carnate”. A new airport service centre will also be opened with a hotel (Hilton Garden Inn, Ed.). ”For Milan Bergamo becoming an “aerotropolis” - as sector studies see the future of airports - will be a natural evolution.” 

It’s not just Tuscany: the eternal love story between British travellers and Italy, the cradle of fine arts, knows no bounds. In fact, cross-Channel travellers are increasingly choosing other regions, from Puglia to Calabria, also thanks to targeted flight schedules. At the top of the list we find Veneto (naturally driven by Venice) where consolidated stays in 2024 exceeded 2.31 million, according to ENIT at the recent WTM in London. Veneto is then followed by Latium, Lombardy (with an excellent 1.77 million), Campania and finally Tuscany, which came close to 1.44 million.

Although Rome, Milan and Venice will remain the main destinations for flights from the UK this year, from the data collected by British tour operators selling Italy, the experiences most sought after by British tourists combine the more traditional sun and sea destinations. the islands or Tuscany and Umbria for villages in the inland areas. In fact, after the big three the airports most used by British visitors in 2025 were Naples, Pisa, Verona and Catania.

From January to August airport arrivals from the UK to Tuscany (around 326,000 +7.8%) or Sicily (over 148,000 +11.6%) but also to new destinations such as Apulia (85,000 +21.5%) and Calabria (around 17,000 +53%) have grown. It should also be noted how - again in 2024 - the five provinces with the highest number of British presences were Rome (2,268,431), Naples (1,407,742), Venice (1,124,345), Verona (969,902) and Milan (720,535).

In the first eight months of 2025, which is now drawing to a close, airport arrivals to Italy from the UK grew by 3.2%: British visitors now represent 16.1% of the foreign total and are, above all, a “rich” market: with €2.4 billion spent in the first half of 2025, a +10.1%  rise over 2024 and an even more marked growth - +41.5% - compared to pre-pandemic 2019.

Mariella Cattaneo
Journalist

More international visitors, from Europe but also from overseas. The city of Rimini illustrated its new growth ambitions at the presentation of the campaign "Rimini 4 Seasons Collection. More than a city. More than a destination" from VisitRimini.

Figures show that in 2024 “Rimini and its province recorded 3.7 million arrivals and 15 million overnight stays,- said Rimini's municipal councillor for sport and culture, Michele Lari. Of these 7.5 million in the city alone, and international arrivals grew by 8%. The first figures for 2025 are comforting: from January to August growth is +0.6% compared to 2024 and +10% compared to 2023. In the first half of the year alone, it was +6.1% compared to the same period last year. The figures highlight a constant deseasonalization and a focus on new targets: not only the sea, but also congresses and trade fairs, linked to sport and culture."

There is a strong focus on foreign visitors, who in 2024 accounted for 33-35% of the total,’ sais destination manager of VisitRimini Coralie Delaubert. “And this summer, thanks also to the growing number of flights operating to Rimini airport - for example, as many as three airlines operating from London. Also from the Polish and Hungarian markets, in addition to the historic German market. The numerous geo-localized promotional initiatives have given ample feedback, with many foreign visitors at our infopoints, even in the month of October, which is a sure a sign that the season has lengthened.”

But Rimini is looking beyond Europe. “We are thinking about it, and first of all we are looking at the United States, a market that we know is very sensitive to Federico Fellini, who is an  iconic Rimini figure.  VisitRimini also has a municipality tender for the management of civil ceremonies in municipal venues so we are proposing ourselves as wedding planners, a segment with very high potential. We want to be a benchmark for organizing weddings, MICE and tourism.” High international visibility will be ensured in Rimini on the occasion of Routes Europe, “scheduled to take place from 13 to 15 May 2026, and a really important opportunity to make the area known and potentially increase the range of air connections.”

Mariella Cattaneo
Journalist

"Americans love coming to Italy. And we are happy to be able to take them to many of the most popular destinations. In recent years we’ve seen more passengers discovering Italian cities beyond Rome and Milan, hence the recent opening of new routes, for example to Naples and Catania in addition to our historic flights to Milan, Rome and Venice,” says Cristina Casati, sales manager Italy and Greece, outlining the company's trends and prospects for Italy.

How did is 2025 going?

“The overall performance this year, especially during the summer, was very encouraging. Demand from Europe, including Italy, showed good momentum, and our transatlantic network continues to generate a lot of interest on both sides of the Ocean. We are also seeing an increasing number of our passengers choosing to travel to Italy and other southern European countries in the autumn to take advantage of milder weather that in the past.”

By how much has the investment in capacity in Italy increased?

“Delta has increased capacity by some 15% to meet expected demand, and we are pleased with the results, particularly with regard to our premium cabins.”

What is the traffic composition on transatlantic routes?

'Traffic shares vary within our network, but overall demand from the US remains the main driver. That said, some routes, such as those from Milan, have a higher share of passengers departing from Italy, demonstrating the importance of these markets within our broader transatlantic offering."

Winter 2025-26: are the Milan-Cortina Olympics already impacting?

"We are excited about the upcoming Milan-Cortina Olympics, and about being able to serve our customers who will be flying to Italy for the games. We have extended our flight from New York-JFK to Venice in anticipation of this, and we are already experiencing strong demand for the route.”

And for summer 2026?

"We are preparing for an important 2026 summer season here in Italy. We have announced the new route from Seattle to Rome due to launch next summer, which will further increase our transatlantic network. In addition, recently and as previously announced, SkyMiles members and Delta employees were invited to help choose the next island destination in Europe. The “Route Race” was won in a tie by Olbia in Sardinia and Malta, which will be connected to New York-JFK starting next summer.”

United Airlines ups the ante on the winter season, adding 30% more capacity.

Up to 14 daily flights between the US and Italy 

"2025 has seen the biggest international expansion in United's history and, within this framework, flights from Italy have increased by over 18%,- says United’s country sales manager Italy, Walter Cianciusi. -This year we introduced three new seasonal non-stop flights to Italy: from our New York/Newark hub to Palermo, from Washington D.C. to Venice, and from Denver to Rome Fiumicino. Looking ahead, the Washington-Rome flight is now year-round, whereas previously it was not active for most of January and February 2025.  By 2025 we will operate up to 14 direct daily services between the US and Italy.”

Double the number of seats that were available in 2019

“Travel demand continues to be in line with our expectations. Italy is a favourite destination for travellers, particularly Americans. And we are seeing a growing popularity of “open jaw” itineraries, where travellers can take advantage of United's extensive offerings to five Italian cities. To keep up with demand we have more than doubled the number of seats that wwre available in 2019, we are the fastest growing airline between the US and Italy. The current winter season sees United boosting its capacity in Italy by around 30%, thanks to the expansion of five routes. Although there are still a few months to go, we are seeing a positive trend in bookings for the Milan-Cortina Olympics next February.”

“We look forward to seeing how the Italian market develops”

The five upgraded routes are New York Newark-Venice, which resumed three weeks earlier than last year and will operate until 18 December 2025, almost two months later than in 2024. The second daily New York Newark-Rome flight was extended until 2 December 2025, more than a month later than in 2024. The second New York Newark-Naples flight was extended until 25 October, almost one month later than in 2024. The Chicago-Rome was extended until 18 December 2025, about 2 weeks later than in 2024, and the 2026 season of the Chicago to Rome route will also start on 20 February 2026, about 2 weeks earlier than this year.” With regard to potential summer 2026 news, Ciancuisi says: “We are pleased with the performance of our Italy flights to date and look forward to seeing how the Italian market develops.”