What’s On The Horizon For: Milan Bergamo Airport

Milan Bergamo Airport, Italy’s third busiest airport, is projecting a 6.2% increase in passenger traffic in 2026, supported by the introduction of new long-haul services. Recent performance reflects strong momentum, with more than 1.7 million passengers recorded in both April (+10.9%) and May (+7.2%).

Growth is being further driven by Middle Eastern carriers. Flyadeal launched a Riyadh service in July and Jazeera Airways began operating to Kuwait in May, both 3X-weekly. Flydubai also increased frequencies on its Dubai International route to 2X-daily in December 2025. BGY is actively promoting unserved markets across the Middle East including Doha and Jeddah.

“We don’t just want to retain destinations we are connected to; we want to diversify our portfolio,” said Giacomo Cattaneo, BGY’s Director of Commercial Aviation, during Routes Europe 2026 in Rimini, Italy. “Reaching even more destinations is important to make our airport more accessible to different markets.”

European airlines are also reinforcing their commitment to the airport. Aeroitalia launched a seasonal Foggia service in June, Ryanair has based two additional aircraft at BGY this summer and Wizz Air introduced a 3X-weekly route to Sibiu route in January.

Located in the eastern part of Italy’s Lombardy region, where more than five million people reside, BGY handled more than 16.9 million passengers in 2025, underpinned by strong demand across both tourism and business travel. While the airport serves a diverse passenger mix, efficiency remains central. “Passengers want to reach their destinations quickly, while demand for ancillary products and premium services continues to grow,” Cattaneo added.

To support demand, BGY has undertaken several infrastructure and accessibility improvements. Recent developments include terminal expansion and a new security area equipped with advanced technology to streamline departures. A forthcoming rail link connecting Milan Central Station and Lake Como to the airport will further enhance connectivity, offering a faster and more sustainable transport option.

Cattaneo indicated how Routes Europe 2026 provided a platform for BGY to showcase these developments: “We wanted to tell everyone we are present and let them know about the important changes we are making. The water walls are advertising our new train service and the improvements in passenger experience.”

Alongside promotional activities, BGY utilized the event to convert opportunities into new partnerships. “The most important thing is the one-to-one meetings. Our main activity is to search for the ‘R’: changing contact into contract. We have had many interesting meetings and the event itself has been fantastic,” adds Cattaneo.

As a member of Routes 360, BGY updates the route development community on its latest developments and route successes, alongside the promotion of its unserved and underserved opportunities for airlines to capitalize on.