The Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 will take place from February 6 to 22, 2026, with the Paralympic Winter Games following from March 6 to 15, 2026. This marks a historic milestone as the first Olympic Winter Games officially co-hosted by multiple cities. Milan will primarily host ice events, while remaining competitions will take place in clusters around Cortina d’Ampezzo, the Valtellina, and the Fiemme valleys.

For business aviation operators, this creates both significant opportunity and substantial operational complexity. With VIPs, corporate delegations, sponsors, and high-net-worth individuals converging on Northern Italy, advance planning will be essential for successful operations during the Games.

Major Operational Challenges

As the Games approach, operators are entering the most critical planning phase. The primary challenge will be overall capacity across Northern Italy, with the greatest pressure concentrated within the Milan airport system.

Traffic demand is expected to peak sharply due to the near-simultaneous arrival of VIPs, official delegations, sponsors, State flights, and business aviation operators, often within very narrow timeframes. This concentration of arrivals represents the most significant operational risk during the Olympic period.

At this stage, no official NOTAMs or formal airport directives have been published. However, NOTAMs are currently in final coordination and are expected to be issued shortly. Based on direct meetings and coordination between Universal Aviation Italy and the Milan airport operators, operators should anticipate temporary but material restrictions and reduced operational flexibility, particularly at Milan Linate (LIML) and Milan Malpensa (LIMC).

Movement limitations are expected in connection with the Opening Ceremony, heightened security measures, and State flight activity. Operators should plan for sustained non-standard operating conditions at Milan-area airports throughout the Olympic period, with the most significant constraints during peak Olympic windows.

Confirmed Olympic Operational Window at Milan Airports

Recent coordination with Milan airport operators has confirmed a defined critical operational window directly tied to Olympic activity.

The most restrictive period is expected from February 4 to 8, 2026, with additional pressure anticipated again toward the end of the Olympic Games. During these windows, temporary but significant limitations on General Aviation operations are expected at both Milan Linate (LIML) and Milan Malpensa (LIMC).

While an official NOTAM has not yet been issued, airport operators have confirmed that the NOTAM is in final coordination and expected shortly. The guidance currently being provided comes directly from airport authorities and should be treated as authoritative pre-NOTAM planning information.

Operators should assume severely constrained GA access during these periods and plan accordingly.

Airport Infrastructure and Preparations

Local authorities are coordinating closely with ENAC, ENAV, and airport operators to manage the anticipated traffic increase. Milan will remain the primary hub for business aviation activity, supported by dedicated GA infrastructure and recent cost adjustments aimed at improving access.

Despite this coordination, operators should not expect business-as-usual conditions. Even in the absence of published NOTAMs, constraints should be assumed, particularly during peak arrival and departure windows tied to major Olympic events.

Parking availability at Milan-area airports will be highly constrained. Regional airports will therefore play a critical role in accommodating repositioning and longer-term aircraft stays. Operators should avoid relying on Milan airports for extended parking.

Olympic-Linked Flight Assessment and Authorization

During the defined Olympic peak windows, General Aviation access will be strongly limited at both LIML and LIMC.

Flights linked to the Olympic Games may be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to specific authorization. This process will be coordinated by the airport operators in conjunction with Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026 and Italian authorities.

No automatic exemptions will apply. Approval, where granted, will depend on confirmed Olympic affiliation and airport and authority discretion.

This represents a shift from assumption-based access to explicit authorization-based operations for Milan airports during peak Olympic demand.

Recommended Airport Options

Airport congestion and parking availability will be among the most critical operational considerations during the Games. Operators should not rely on the Milan airport system alone and should plan confirmed alternates and repositioning strategies well in advance. Milan airports should be treated strictly as arrival and departure hubs, not parking locations.

Primary Entry Points

• Milan Linate (LIML): Primary hub for passenger arrivals and departures
• Milan Malpensa (LIMC): Major international gateway supporting Olympic traffic

Parking at both airports is expected to be extremely limited.

Parking and Repositioning Airports

Repositioning from primary airports should be assumed in most cases. Establishing confirmed parking at alternate airports is essential to maintaining schedule integrity during peak Olympic demand.

Operators seeking reliable parking or longer-term aircraft stays should prioritize:

• LIME (Bergamo)
  • New General Aviation Terminal
  • Strong handling capability
  • One of the most reliable parking options in the region
• LIPX (Verona)
  • Strategic access to eastern Olympic venues
  • Practical for repositioning and crew logistics
• LIPO (Brescia)
  • Strong alternative with reduced congestion
  • Increasingly favored for operational flexibility
• LIPE (Bologna)
  • Larger regional airport with improved parking prospects
  • Suitable for longer-term aircraft stays

Additional airports that may offer availability depending on demand include Venezia (LIPZ), Treviso (LIPH), Bolzano (LIPB), Turin (LIMF), Cuneo (LIMZ), Genoa (LIMJ), and Parma (LIMP). Availability will vary by date and traffic volume, and advance confirmation is strongly recommended.

Across much of Northern Italy, repositioning should be considered a near certainty for most operations.

Premium Helicopter Transfer Services

For passengers seeking direct access to Olympic venues, premium helicopter transfer options can be arranged. These services offer time-efficient access to Alpine host locations while avoiding ground congestion. Universal Aviation Italy can coordinate helicopter solutions tailored to specific Olympic itineraries.

Critical Planning Requirements

Slot Coordination and Permits

Slot coordination will be mandatory at major airports throughout both the Olympic and Paralympic periods. Parking approvals will be tightly controlled and subject to change as demand evolves.

• Minimal availability for overnight or extended parking
• Mandatory repositioning in many cases
• Tight confirmation windows and evolving local guidance

Early coordination with experienced ground handlers will be essential.

Booking Timeline

Early planners will benefit the most. Crew accommodation in Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo, and surrounding areas is already becoming limited, with pricing increasing as availability tightens. Hotels and ground transportation should be secured as early as possible, even while some operational details remain fluid.

Passenger Olympic Affiliation Disclosure

In addition to slot and parking coordination, operators must proactively determine and disclose whether passengers are formally connected to Olympic activities for any flights planned into LIML or LIMC between February 4 and 8.

• Official Olympic sponsors
• Accredited Olympic partners
• Guests or passengers formally linked to Olympic events or activities

This information is required to allow airport operators to flag flights for Olympic-related assessment and determine whether specific authorization pathways may apply. Failure to disclose Olympic affiliation early may result in denied access during restricted periods.

Ground Transportation and Traffic Planning

Ground transportation planning will require particular attention. Temporary Limited Traffic Zones (ZTLs) are expected in Milan and Alpine host cities, including Cortina d’Ampezzo, with access restricted to vehicles holding special Olympic permits.

In Milan, dedicated Olympic traffic lanes are expected to reduce normal road flexibility and may significantly impact transfer times. Early coordination with experienced local providers is essential.

Lessons from Paris 2024

Recent Olympic operations highlighted several consistent lessons:

• Early slot and parking requests are critical
• Backup airport options prevent disruption
• Close coordination with local handlers is essential
• Flexibility and proactive planning reduce delays

These lessons apply directly to Milan 2026.

Milan’s Unique Advantages

Milan offers a combination of factors that distinguish it from previous Olympic host cities:

• Multiple international airports
• Established business aviation infrastructure
• Proximity to luxury accommodations and venues
• Dedicated GA terminals
• A growing network of regional alternates

This infrastructure provides more options than many past host cities, but only for operators who plan early.

Key Takeaways

• Capacity across Northern Italy will be the primary constraint
• LIML and LIMC should be treated as hubs, not parking airports
• Repositioning and confirmed alternates are essential
• Hotels and ground transportation should be secured immediately
• Temporary traffic restrictions and ZTLs are expected
• Early planning and flexibility will determine success

Final Considerations

The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will test even highly experienced business aviation operators. Italy is well equipped to host major international events, but the scale and geographic dispersion of the Games make preparation critical. Operators who secure slots, parking, accommodations, and alternates early, and who remain flexible as conditions evolve, will be best positioned for successful operations. Universal Aviation Italy stands ready to support operators throughout the planning and execution phases.