In June 2023 the Milan Bergamo Airport (BGY) handled 54,571 passengers in just one day, a record for this Italian gateway and a significant reason why SACBO, the airport’s managing company, continues to invest in the future for Milan Bergamo’s passengers and airline partners.

“We have been working continuously to ensure the airport’s infrastructure development allows us to handle the ever-growing number of passengers we are experiencing, ensuring we can remain the leading choice for those travelling to and from the Lombardy region,”  said Giacomo Cattaneo, director, Commercial Aviation, SACBO. “The investment in our airport is allowing us to further develop and place ourselves as one of the leading gateways in Milan and northern  Italy.”

© SACBO

Continuing its development as a competitive, modern airport, Milan Bergamo begins expansion works with major investment in the airport’s northern apron and taxiway, a new terminal enlargement and the construction of a train station which will provide a direct rail connection to Milan Central Station.

The creation of a brand-new northern taxiway will see an increase in capacity of 35 percent, enough to meet traffic volume expectations. Alongside the taxiway, new development will include the creation of three new aircraft stands.

The first phase has begun for Milan Bergamo’s terminal expansion, due for completion at the beginning of July 2024. The initial project will include a new check-in hall with the introduction of 22 check-in desks and a baggage-handling system extension.

© SACBO

The second phase, due to open in summer 2025, will comprise an extension of the security, duty free and boarding areas. With the arrival of up to 14 C3 type security x-ray stations with state-of-the-art technology, the airport’s passengers will be relieved of the need to remove liquids and laptops from hand luggage. Adding two new non-Schengen gates and more than doubling the duty-free area will improve the airport’s services and guarantees a high level of passenger experience.  Milan Bergamo is one of three airports in the Milan area, the others being Milan Malpensa (MXP) and Milan City Linate (LIN).

Following the final approval last year for the new railway connection between downtown Milan and Milan Bergamo Airport, the construction of a tunnel linking the airport’s arrivals hall to the new airport station has begun. The airport rail station will be equipped with four platforms, providing a sustainable and innovative service from the airport to the city center. With construction set for completion by the end of 2025, the airport will be ready for the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, which will take place in the Lombardy region.

© Alessio Guitti

In addition to BGY’s improvements, the Lombardy cities of Bergamo and Brescia  are pausing a 900-year-old feud (more recently fueled by the rivalry of supporters of its football teams) to become Italy’s first joint Capitals of Culture. They plan to share with visitors an impressive number of cultural and culinary events. A new 80-mile hiking trail, known as La via delle Sorelle (The Way of the Sisters), has been created to link the two cities where arts and culture have thrived for hundreds of years. Visitors can travel the trail in stages, with comfortable and unique accommodations along the way.