From February 6–22, 2026, Italy will host the Winter Olympics, with events spread across Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Valtellina, Val di Fiemme, and Verona. While the Games mark a major moment for northern Italy, they will also bring significant aviation congestion, parking limitations, and airspace restrictions across the region.

Operators planning to attend or operate flights in northern Italy during this period should begin coordination well in advance, as airport capacity and hotel availability will be extremely limited.

Primary Gateways

The primary business aviation gateways will be Milan Malpensa (LIMC) and Milan Linate (LIML). Both are expected to experience exceptionally high demand during the Games. Linate will be particularly challenging to secure, as parking and slots are already in short supply and prices have increased sharply since 2025. Malpensa offers more capacity but will prioritize commercial traffic.

Bergamo (LIME) is expected to be the most reliable option for business aviation, offering 17 self-maneuvering stands and a new General Aviation Terminal (GAT). The airport continues to expand facilities and will serve as a practical alternative to the two Milan airports.

Secondary and Alternate Airports

Other northern Italian airports will have very limited availability during the Olympic period:

• LIPO/Brescia: Only a few stands available.
• LIPB/Bolzano, LIPH/Treviso, LIPZ/Venice, LIPQ/Trieste, and LIPX/Verona: Capacity expected to be constrained with priority given to scheduled traffic.
• LSZS/Samedan and LOWI/Innsbruck: Limited parking, winter weather constraints, and likely repositioning required.

Practical alternates for repositioning and support include LIMJ/Genova, LIPY/Ancona, LIPK/Forli, LIPR/Rimini, LIMZ/Cuneo, and LIMF/Turin. These airports are less affected by Olympic activity and can serve as parking or tech stop options.

Infrastructure and Service Updates

Authorities including ENAC and ENAV are preparing for the Games by expanding infrastructure at major airports. At Milan Linate, the General Aviation Terminal is undergoing a full renovation and expansion to accommodate increased VIP and charter traffic. The new facility, along with the Universal Aviation VIP lounge at LIML, is expected to be operational ahead of the Olympics.

Operators should also expect heightened security measures, slot coordination at all airports, and temporary airspace restrictions over Olympic venues and high-profile areas.

Operational Considerations

• Slots and PPRs: Mandatory across all northern Italy airports during the Olympic period.
• Parking: Limited at all major gateways, with no guarantee of long-term stays.
• Repositioning: May be necessary due to parking constraints at Milan and Cortina area airports.
• Helicopter transfers: Already booking quickly for movements between Milan, Cortina, and surrounding venues.
• Crew accommodations: Tight in both Milan and Cortina; early booking essential.
• Service availability: Expect ground handling, fuel, and catering to be in high demand; plan ahead.

Lessons from Paris 2024

Experience from the 2024 Paris Olympics demonstrated the importance of early slot and parking requests, having backup airport options, and working closely with local handlers to maintain flexibility. The same approach will be critical for Italy 2026, given the distributed nature of venues and the limited airport infrastructure in the Alpine region.

Key Takeaways

• Olympic period: February 6–22, 2026
• Primary airports: LIMC, LIML, and LIME
• Secondary airports: LIPX, LIPO, LIPZ, LIPB, LIPH, LIPQ
• Alternates: LIMJ, LIPY, LIPK, LIPR, LIMZ, LIMF
• Expect mandatory slots, limited parking, and high demand for crew hotels and transfers

Operators should begin permit coordination, slot requests, and hotel planning now to secure the best positioning and ensure smooth operations during the Games.