Milan Airport to be Renamed After Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi
Milan's main airport, Milan Malpensa International Airport (MXP), is set to be renamed in honor of the late Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. This decision was announced by Italy's Transport Minister, Matteo Salvini, and reported by the Financial Express.
During a conference in southern Italy, Salvini revealed that the country's civil aviation authority approved Lombardy region's request to rename the airport after Berlusconi, who was a native of Milan. Salvini expressed his pride and emotion on social media, stating, "The final decision lies with the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, and I am ready to put the last signature, with pride and emotion, in the memory of my friend Silvio, a great entrepreneur, a great Milanese, and a great Italian."
The name change, which has sparked debate, comes over seven decades after the airport was established for civil operations. Berlusconi, who passed away last year at the age of 86, led four governments as the head of the center-right Forza Italia party. Salvini justified the decision by highlighting Berlusconi's significant impact on Italy's history despite facing decades of criticism and legal challenges.
A Landmark Decision Amid Controversy
The renaming of Malpensa Airport has stirred controversy, particularly among left-wing critics. Salvini acknowledged this in his announcement, stating, "Some on the left may turn up their noses after decades of insults, defamations, and trials, but Silvio Berlusconi made the history of this country, and it is right to name Malpensa airport after him."
About Milan Malpensa International Airport
Milan Malpensa International Airport (MXP) is the largest of Milan's three main airports, handling over 20 million passengers annually. The other two airports are Bergamo Airport (BGY) and Milan Linate Airport (LIN). Located 49 kilometers northwest of Milan, near the Ticino River separating Lombardy and Piedmont provinces, the airport has a rich history. It was initially opened in 1909 by Giovanni Agusta and Gianni Caproni to test aircraft prototypes and transitioned to civil aviation in 1948.
MXP serves as a central hub for multiple airlines, including easyJet, Ryanair, Wizz Air, and Malta Air. It is not only the largest airport in Italy's northern region but also one of the busiest in the country. In 2023, it ranked as the second-busiest airport in Italy after Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO), handling 26.1 million passengers, a 22.15% increase compared to 2022.
The renaming of Milan Malpensa International Airport to honor Silvio Berlusconi is a significant move that reflects his enduring influence on Italian politics and business.