The “MXP North Rail Access” project celebrated 15 years of air-rail collaboration, enhancing Malpensa Airport’s integration into Europe’s rail network, supported by the EU and key transport stakeholders.
A high-profile event celebrating the “MXP North Rail Access” project and 15 years of collaboration between the air and rail sectors concluded yesterday at the Sheraton Malpensa. The event brought together SEA Aeroporti di Milano, FERROVIENORD, Regione Lombardia, CINEA (European Climate, Infrastructure, and Environment Executive Agency), and the European Commission DG-MOVE. Representatives from Paris, Riga, and Brussels airports, Trenitalia, easyJet, as well as operators of Kuala Lumpur Express Rail and Airtrain Brisbane, also shared their experiences.
This strategic initiative, co-funded by the European Union under the TEN-T 2007–2013 and CEF 2014–2020 programs, involves an investment exceeding 90 million euros. The project enhances Malpensa’s position as a pivotal intermodal hub, connecting it more seamlessly to Europe by rail and integrating it into the Mediterranean and Rhine-Alpine Corridors.
“The ‘MXP North Rail Access’ project marks a milestone for European intermodal transport and showcases the successful collaboration between SEA and FERROVIENORD. The completion of this railway infrastructure will significantly improve Malpensa’s sustainable accessibility. By transforming the airport into a transport hub rather than a terminal station, the number of locations directly connected to the airport will increase. Additionally, integrating Malpensa into the national railway network will pave the way for high-speed services,” said Alessandro Fidato, Chief Operating Officer of SEA Aeroporti di Milano.
“With the progress on the new rail link connecting Milan Malpensa Airport’s Terminal 2 to the Simplon railway line, we are witnessing the culmination of a remarkable industrial journey – one that has brought Milan closer to Europe by facilitating connections for people and goods. At the same time, we are also ushering in a new era, where diverse communities can access the airport hub more efficiently, fostering new connections and relationships. This positions Malpensa on par with, or even ahead of, major capitals across Europe and beyond,” said Fulvio Caradonna, CEO of FNM.
Fulvio Caradonna, CEO of FNM at “MXP North Rail Access project” event.
The Director of CINEA has visited the project “MXP North Rail Access” co-financed with CEF-T funding (63 million euros for the second step) and has participated today in the conference celebrating the 15 years of European support to ensure the rail connection of the Malpensa Airport. Since 2010, the European Commission has supported with 90 million euros the intermodal integration between air and rail transport modes and the full integration of the Malpensa airport within the TEN-T Network, in particular with the Rhine-Alpine Corridor. In her opening speech, Ms Aba Garrote underlined that the project serves much more than only the connection to the Airport as the “expected impact of the project once in operation, will improve the regional network, thus strengthening rail transport in Lombardy, which is a transport mode of paramount importance, used every day by millions of people. She added that, “it will improve the competitiveness of the railway through the modal shift from road to rail lowering the greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing decarbonisation in the transport sector.” Finally she stressed the importance of the project for the “integration of the Malpensa Airport to the high-speed railway network and by offering cross border services along the Rhine-Alpine Corridor, both for passenger and freight, will ultimately improve the EU internal market.”
A Railway Ring Around Malpensa: Milestones Achieved
The collaboration between SEA and FERROVIENORD, initiated in 2010, has driven significant advancements in infrastructure development. The first milestone was the completion of the railway link between Malpensa Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, operational since 2016, following an investment of 120 million euros. The 3.4-kilometre track, including a 967-metre tunnel, enables a swift travel time of just five minutes. That same year, Terminal 2 station was inaugurated—a state-of-the-art, three-story structure spanning 500 meters in length and 45 meters in width, equipped with four platforms. In the central hall, a permanent museum displays historical artefacts from the Golasecca civilization, discovered during excavation works. A canopy directly connects the station to Terminal 2, ensuring seamless access.
The second milestone involves extending the connection from Terminal 2 to Gallarate and the Simplon line. This phase, requiring an investment of 257 million euros, covers a 4.6-kilometre route, including 2.6 kilometers of tunnels and a 1.1-kilometre connection to the Simplon line. The estimated travel time between Terminal 2 and Gallarate is just seven minutes, providing direct rail access to Switzerland from Gallarate.
A Sustainable and Innovative Project
This ambitious project aims to significantly reduce environmental impact, targeting a decrease of 3,000 tons of CO2 annually from 2020 to 2049 – equivalent to a 75% reduction in emissions by 2049. The project also promotes modal shift towards rail transport: rail usage increased from 12% in 2016 to 20% in 2023, with a forecasted rise to 25% by 2035.
Passenger numbers are projected to grow as well. The current daily ridership of 17,800 passengers is expected to increase to 19,100 by 2032, marking a 7.3% rise.
These achievements have been made possible through five European grants, totaling 90 million euros, which have supported the project’s sustainability and transport integration goals.
The meeting also served as a platform to explore the future of integrated air-rail transport, featuring discussions and workshops focused on innovation, sustainability, and emerging opportunities in the sector.
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