Over time, the individual components of Linate Airport have developed heterogeneously and not always under a fully coordinated vision. This means that certain infrastructures, systems and facilities, in the passenger terminal and in various operational areas of the airport, have been rendered obsolete and no longer meet operational needs, due to the fact they are subject to continuous functional, technical and environmental developments in relation to the territory and passenger expectations, among other aspects.
The Master Plan thus proposes to respond to such critical issues through:
- Works aimed at further improving safety
The expansion of the air-side apron will improve functionality in the movement of aircraft, vehicles and personnel. The realization of the new fuel depot area, connected to the aircraft parking areas by pipeline, aims to reduce risks and environmental impacts by decreasing truck transports. The realization of new passenger boarding bridges and the renovation of apron paving is essential in order to ensure flight operations safety.
- Works aimed at increasing the comfort and quality of services offered to users
Alignment of the quality offered by Linate Airport to high international standards can be achieved, for example, by improving pre-boarding areas near to gates with seats, installing new control stations and increasing the number of contact boarding bridges, which also significantly improve safety aspects and environmental impacts, due to a reduction in shuttle buses. Such interventions envisage a reconfiguration of the external envelope of the terminal, improving the overall energy efficiency of the terminal and significantly reducing maintenance costs.
- Interventions aimed at renovating building structures and at technological innovation
The realization of new building structures and the renewal of facilities will bring about greater energy efficiency and a reduction in maintenance costs.
- Interventions aimed at energy saving and environmental protection
With the proposed interventions of the Master Plan also aim to achieve greater environmental sustainability, by reducing airport vehicle movements and related emissions and by the use of high performance and low emissivity finishing materials.
Following the issuance of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Decree by the Ministry of the Environment, the actions stated in the Environmental Impact Assessment Technical Commission Opinion will be implemented, including, in particular, the positioning of one or more air monitoring units in agreement with control bodies (e.g. Regional Agency for the Protection of the Environment - ARPA).
- Interventions to support airport operations and territorial services
Linate currently has a closed configuration essentially dedicated to the exclusive supply of services directly related to air transport. The emerging trend at an international level is, however, oriented towards a greater openness to the surrounding territory and a diversification of services on offer within the airport grounds. The adaption, renewal and upgrading of Linate Airport under a new Master Plan is therefore strategic in ensuring adequate air transport services in Milan, implementing a new economic growth plan and responding to the needs of a highly dynamic catchment area, which is one of the richest in Italy. Accordingly, regeneration and development proposals under a new Master Plan represent a significant opportunity to provide the airport with new facilities for operators and airport personnel, and to produce services capable of generating new goods and passenger traffic, as well as wealth for the territory.