Milan, a city synonymous with fashion, design, and Italian espresso, has quietly but strategically transformed its airport infrastructure into a formidable global hub. At the helm of this transformation is Armando Brunini, CEO of SEA, the company managing Milan’s Linate and Malpensa airports. In a recent interview, Brunini detailed the challenges overcome and the ambitious vision propelling Milan’s airports forward, even amidst a confluence of crises.
Resilience in the Face of Adversity: A CEO’s Perspective
Brunini, fresh from overseeing the seamless transport logistics for the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, found himself immediately confronted with a triple threat: the resurfacing of one of Malpensa’s two runways, the outbreak of war in the Persian Gulf, and the full implementation of the Entry-Exit System (EES) for non-EU citizens. These events, each capable of crippling airport operations, were met with a calm resolve. “I’d say that in this industry I’ve seen it all by now,” Brunini remarked, underscoring the company’s solid fundamentals.
These fundamentals are reflected in SEA’s impressive 2025 financial results: 42.3 million passengers, revenues of €876.8 million, EBITDA of €403.3 million, and a net profit of €190.6 million. Such figures are the culmination of years of strategic investment and a relentless campaign to attract foreign airlines, filling the void left by Alitalia’s departure from Malpensa. This strategy has also involved maintaining a delicate, yet effective, balance between Linate and Malpensa, a balance Brunini is keen to preserve against any proposed changes, such as introducing intercontinental flights at Linate.
The Long-Haul Strategy: Malpensa’s Engine of Growth
Malpensa has emerged as a powerhouse for long-haul traffic, exceeding expectations with a 14% growth in 2025. Asia, in particular, saw a record 31% increase. This connectivity has propelled Malpensa to the top tier of global airports, with direct flights to 83 countries-ranking sixth in Europe and ninth worldwide for non-stop services. Brunini sees further room for expansion, advocating for a broad ‘open-skies’ environment and leveraging ‘fifth-freedom rights’ to bridge gaps where a dedicated Italian hub carrier might be absent, especially for routes to Central and South America.
The impact of the Gulf war, initially severe on eight directly affected routes, saw a surprisingly rapid recovery. “There was even a displacement effect,” Brunini noted, with passengers opting for non-stop flights from Malpensa to the Far East, resulting in an overall 2% increase in May data, despite the crisis.
Navigating Fuel Prices and Border Control Woes
The alarm raised by airline CEOs regarding a potential jet fuel shortage, initially a cause for concern, dissipated as refining capacities were maximized and supply chains reconfigured. While the immediate volume concerns for summer flying have subsided, the issue of price remains. Brunini acknowledges the risk of
