Milan Linate International Airport
Milan Linate Airport is an international facility located just 7km/4 miles from central Milan. The airport’s official code is LIN, and it’s real name is actually ‘Airport Enrico Forlanini’, after the Italian inventor and aeronautical pioneer born in Milan. The airport is more commonly known as ‘Linate’, which is derived from the small village where it is located, in Peschiera Borromeo.
The Milan Airport system consists of three airports, namely Malpensa Airport (the largest), Linate Airport and the third airport of Orio al Serio. Orio al Serio is located 1km to the east of Bergamo and 42 km from Milan. The airports of Malpensa and Linate operate in a relatively close proximity, and are connected by highways and bus services. Some of the airline carriers from Linate Airport moved over to Malpensa Airport when it opened.
Linate Airport was built in the mid-1930’s, next to the Idroscalo Lake of Milan. It’s purpose then was to replace the already existing Taliedo Airport. This airport was one of the world’s first aerodromes and airports, but was too small to meet the requirements of the increasing commercial traffic. It was closed down soon after Linate Airport became operational. Linate Airport received major improvements and renovations during the 1950’s, and again during the 1980’s. The airport’s land and buildings cover the two municipalities of Segrate and Peschiera Borromeo, with a total area of 396 hectares.
Linate Airport has one large terminal building that has the Arrivals level on the ground floor, and the Departure area on the first floor. The passenger terminal covers a total area of 75,000 square meters. There are 74 check-in desks and 10 passport control desks. The boarding structures include 24 gates and 5 fingers. Each year, Linate Airport receives approximately 10 million passengers passing through it’s facilities. Linate Airport serves domestic and international flights from a variety of airline companies. The most popular flight destinations are in Europe and Italy itself. Some of the airlines at LIN include Lufthansa, British Airways, Air Europe, Alitalia, Air France, Austrian Airlines, Iberia, Meridiana and KLM.
The runways at Linate Airport are the general aviation runway of 620 meters and the main runway of 2,440 meters. There are two aircraft aprons. The main one comprises of a total 363,000 square miles and the general aviation apron of 67,000 square miles.
Linate and Malpensa Airports are managed by the company of SEA. SEA is responsible for the planning, construction and maintenance of any new airport buildings and infrastructures, as well as all the airport’s services, such as the airport’s coordination and the information supplied to the public based on the data provided by the airline companies. Shareholders of SEA are the Municipality of Milan with 84,56%, ASAM with 14,56%, and the remaining shares are held by other minor public and private shareholders.
SEA controls the company of SEA Handling, which supplies handling services to the airline companies. These services include ticketing, check-in, Lost and Found, special assistance, loading and unloading of baggage, passenger boarding and disembarkation, and all the operations required by the aircrafts when they are on the ground.
Milan Linate Airport is fully accessible to disabled/reduced mobility passengers. Sala Amica provides the special ground assistant services for disabled arriving or departing passengers. Other facilities at the airport include information and tourist desks, banks, ATMs, currency exchange, a chemist, a post office, First Aid assistance, business services and many shops and restaurants.
Passengers arriving at Linate Airport will find a reasonably pleasant Mediterranean climate, especially during the months of April to October. The winter season can be cool, with frosts and occasional snow flurries during December, January and February. The summers of Milan can be very hot and humid.
Regardless of the newer and larger Malpensa Airport, Linate Airport will remain a favorite amongst local Milanese residents and foreign travelers.