The luxury retail sector is driving sales growth at the Italian hub.
With a well-established reputation as a city for fashionistas, Milan already attracts visitors as a premier destination for high-end shopping. As a gateway to the region, Milano Malpensa has unveiled new boutiques in its Terminal 1 for two iconic fashion brands – Dior and Louis Vuitton.
Most of the airport’s major airlines including flag-carriers such as British Airways, ITA Airways and Emirates operate from Terminal 1. Low-fare carrier, easyJet, operates from Terminal 2 at the Italian regional hub.
The new additions mean the airport is now home to 22 luxury brands, not including the various corners and pop-ups within the duty-free section. According to airport operator SEA Milan, the airport now offers a shopping experience on a par with Milan’s famed Qaudrilatero della Moda.
“The arrival of Dior and Loius Vuitton, cements Malpensa’s status as a global luxury destination and a benchmark for premium airport shopping,” said Luigi Battuello, Chief Commercial Officer of SEA.
“The investment by these iconic brands reflects our vision of an increasingly international, modern airport – credible to partners and attentive to the needs of global travellers.”
With international travel now back stronger than ever, the regional airport saw luxury sales increase by +18 per cent in the first five months of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024. Last year Malpensa closed with a +21 per cent increase in luxury sales compared to the previous year.
The main growth drivers are non-EU passengers and particularly those arriving from Asia and the Middle East. Passenger traffic from these regions accounts for over 80 per cent of luxury purchases. What’s more, the average transaction value rose by more than +9 per cent compared to the same period last year.
