Master Plan guidelines

The transition from a perspective focusing Malpensa as hub airport to the development of a point-to-point intercontinental airport was first outlined at a strategic level, and subsequently integrated into the business plan. This is the main assumption characterizing the Master Plan Guidelines to 2030.

Traffic forecasts to 2030
We have decided to reformulate the growth forecasts of traffic volumes due to a different mix that will define the airport (share of short-medium or long haul, share of major or low-cost carriers, shares of links to different geographical areas, shares of belly cargo or all-cargo, etc.), compared to what would have reasonably characterized Malpensa having a predominant hub function.
According to such assumptions, at the end of the period (2030), Malpensa should record 245,000 movements according to a base scenario, 279,000 in a scenario that includes an estimated additional growth. Annual passengers are expected between 28 and 32.5 million, while cargo should reach and exceed one million tons . As far as cargo traffic forecasts are concerned, values are related to first line cargo movements, which do not consider potential market developments on a forwarders/second line/logistics front. Growth expected in the first five years (CAGR 7.5%) is consistent with the planned capacity development and activities of related operators.

Capacity analysis
In advance, after traffic forecasts, we decided to re-examine airport's capacity limits, in particular with regard to flight infrastructure (runways, junctions, aprons) which represents the most critical area for flow management.
The study was completed through a specific collaboration with ENAV.
The objective was to evaluate the maximum capacity in three different scenarios:

1. existing infrastructure (so-called "baseline");
2. existing layout (two runways), but optimizing use with new infrastructure (new junctions, new exit routes, etc.) and innovations in handling take-off and landing procedures;
3. layout with three runways (with the third runway arranged according to the solution found at the time by the MITRE study).

Design guidelines
Intersection of forecast analysis and capacity study produced a first assumption for drafting Guidelines.
Even with all the flexibility to be considered when scheduling long-term activities, we deemed it reasonable to assume that the current two-runway layout, optimized thanks to a number of selective measures, can support a growth in volumes at least until 2030.
To cope with increases in cargo volumes, the type diversification (cargo, couriers) and the increase of operators, the Guidelines provide for various measures for enhancing and improving services offered by Cargo City, in addition to those already under way or nearing completion (new aircraft parking apron and new first line warehouses).
Some of the new facilities can still be built on the current airport grounds: a new small warehouse close to utilities plant (after covering railway tracks); buildings and facilities for cargo support services (car parks, workshops, refuelling, washing, canteen, etc.).
A further development will involve a 60-90 hectare extension of grounds immediately south of the current Cargo City, with the aim of creating new first line warehouses with aircraft apron, buildings for support functions and related roadways. The extension will require a deviation of provincial road SP 14 that currently runs near airport grounds.