Milano Malpensa has processed thousands of athletes, media and VIPs as it prepares to support Milano Cortina 2026, handling complex baggage and logistics flows.
Summary: Milano Malpensa has entered a peak arrival phase for Milano Cortina 2026, receiving athletes, support staff, media and VIPs while managing thousands of items of luggage and specialised sports equipment.
MILAN — Milano Malpensa Airport has moved into its busiest phase for Olympic arrivals in the days leading up to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, operating a tailored plan to handle passenger flows and oversized sports baggage. Milano Malpensa has become a primary gateway for delegations, media and dignitaries arriving in Italy for the competition.
Scale of arrivals and specialised baggage handling
So far the airport has processed approximately 1,400 athletes and technical staff. In support of those delegations, operations teams have managed roughly 2,800 checked bags, 1,400 items of sports equipment and about 1,600 oversized pieces. The specialised consignments include hockey sticks, ski boots, skates, bicycles and crates carrying food and medical supplies.
- Athletes and technical staff: ~1,400 arrivals
- Checked bags related to delegations: ~2,800
- Sports equipment: ~1,400 items
- Oversized items: ~1,600 (e.g., hockey sticks, ski boots, skates, bicycles)
Delegations, media and VIP presence
The arrivals represent 77 national delegations, with the largest contingents coming from the United States, South Korea, Japan and Finland. In addition to athletes, Milano Malpensa has welcomed about 4,600 journalists, media operators and National Olympic Committee representatives, who travelled with around 7,200 pieces of luggage.
- Delegations represented: 77 countries
- Largest groups: United States, South Korea, Japan, Finland
- Media and officials: ~4,600 people with ~7,200 pieces of luggage
Infrastructure and human resources deployed
Terminal 1, recently refurbished, has been prepared to absorb the increased throughput and the complex logistics that Olympic operations demand. The airport has assigned 200 SEA volunteers to work with operational teams on daily activities, and 300 specially designated trolleys have been supplied for moving sports equipment and technical materials.
- Refurbished Terminal 1 handling heightened volumes
- 200 SEA volunteers supporting airport teams
- 300 special trolleys for sports equipment logistics
Coordination, accreditation and operations centre
Milano Malpensa serves as the initial operational contact for athletes and delegations arriving in Italy. Official accreditations are issued at the airport, equipment is checked and transfer logistics are coordinated prior to movement to Olympic Villages and competition venues. These activities are overseen through the Action Room, a 24/7 logistics operations centre where SEA staff — acting as Official Supporter of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games — coordinate closely with the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation. The centre integrates air traffic, transport and security information to monitor arrivals in real time.
Communications support via MXP Media Lab
Beyond logistics, Milano Malpensa is operating as a communications hub through the MXP Media Lab, a SEA initiative developed with IULM University and the University of Milan. A dedicated group of nine students is assisting SEA’s communications team by producing photographic and video content that documents Milano Malpensa’s role in the Milano Cortina 2026 journey.
Milano Malpensa has also received around 200 VIP guests connected to the International Olympic Committee, the Olympic Family and sponsors, in addition to 53 Heads of State and Government travelling for the Games.
Why this matters: For travellers and the aviation industry, Milano Malpensa’s preparations demonstrate how major events require tailored airport operations — from dedicated accreditation lanes and equipment handling to expanded volunteer and communications support. Passengers travelling through Malpensa during the Games should expect enhanced security and logistics activity, while industry observers can view the airport’s Action Room and MXP Media Lab collaborations as models for event-driven operational planning.
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