One of Europe’s busiest airports to cap passengers through early 2023
DELFINO, Italy — European passengers are waiting for a new runway at Milan (Milano) and a new terminal at Malpensa, which are still under construction, both part of the Italian government’s effort to reduce airport congestion.
At the other end of the age spectrum, the number of arrivals to the Greek capital of Athens fell by more than 3% in January, despite an ongoing dispute between Athens and its neighbors in southern and eastern Europe.
The number of departures was stable, at 35,000 passengers, with the bulk of international passengers heading for the UK, France, Spain and Portugal.
Passengers waited in an airport terminal, on their way to or from Athens, at Delfino in south-east Italy on Wednesday. Passengers wait in an airport terminal, on their way to or from Athens, at Delfino in south-east Italy on Wednesday.
The latest government figures show just over 5,000 passengers departing every day — a 3.6% fall from January, and a 0.9% decrease compared to 10 years ago.
The number of passengers leaving Greece dropped by almost a quarter to about 8,900, and the number arriving fell by a quarter last year to about 27,000, compared to 28,000 a year ago.
Meanwhile, arrivals at Milan airport, home to the world’s largest hub for commercial flights, grew by 4.4% in January, to 35,000 passengers.
The number of passengers coming and going to Amsterdam Airport (OAK, Amsterdam) in the Netherlands also expanded in January, when almost 2,000 people departed, and 1,400 arrived.
The number of passengers arriving at Frankfurt and Munich grew in January, and at Athens and Rome the number of passengers on the way declined by a quarter.
The Italian budget airline Ryanair said on Tuesday that it would start flying from Malpensa Airport in September, cutting travel and adding more flights.
