The Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 will take place from February 6 to 22, 2026, with the Paralympic Winter Games following from March 6 to 15, 2026. This marks a historic milestone as the first Olympic Winter Games officially co-hosted by multiple cities. Milan will primarily host ice events, while remaining competitions will take place in clusters around Cortina d’Ampezzo, the Valtellina, and the Fiemme valleys.

For business aviation operators, this creates both significant opportunity and substantial operational complexity. With VIPs, corporate delegations, sponsors, and high-net-worth individuals converging on Northern Italy, advance planning will be essential for successful operations during the Games.

Major Operational Challenges

As the Games approach, operators are now entering the most critical planning phase. Published Olympic NOTAMs confirm that access to the Milan airport system during peak Olympic demand is exception-based and tightly controlled.

Traffic demand is expected to peak sharply due to the near-simultaneous arrival of VIPs, official delegations, sponsors, State flights, and a small number of authorized business aviation operations, often within narrow timeframes. This concentration of activity represents the most significant operational risk during the Olympic period.

Based on the issued NOTAMs and direct coordination with Milan airport operators, operators should assume severely constrained access at Milan Linate (LIML) and Milan Malpensa (LIMC) during Olympic peak periods. Access should not be assumed, and most business aviation flights should plan for alternate airports and repositioning strategies.

Movement limitations are tied to Olympic security measures, Opening Ceremony activity, and State flight operations. Non-standard operating conditions should be expected at Milan-area airports throughout the Olympic period, with the most restrictive conditions occurring during defined peak restriction periods and high-security activity phases.

Confirmed Olympic Operational Period at Milan Airports

Recent NOTAMs have now formally established a defined Olympic operational restriction period at Milan-area airports.

The most restrictive period is confirmed as February 4, 2026 at 1500 UTC through February 7, 2026 at 2100 UTC, during which Milan Linate (LIML) and Milan Malpensa (LIMC) are closed to all traffic except for limited authorized categories (including IFR commercial scheduled traffic, authorized State flights, military Buster Air Traffic (BAT), emergency, and medical flights)

During this period, access is strictly authorization-based and should not be assumed for business aviation operations. Operators should assume that most business aviation requests will not be approved. Flights that are not explicitly authorized will not be permitted to operate into Milan airports and must plan alternate routing and repositioning.

Outside this published restriction period (and throughout the broader Olympic timeline), operators should still anticipate elevated demand, reduced operational flexibility, and short-notice schedule changes.

Airport Infrastructure and Preparations

Local authorities are coordinating closely with ENAC, ENAV, and Milan airport operators to manage Olympic-related traffic demand. Despite these efforts, operators should not expect business-as-usual conditions at Milan airports during the Olympic period.

During published restriction periods, LIML and LIMC are not available as alternates, and diversions will only be accepted for emergency operations. Parking availability at both airports will be extremely limited, and reliance on Milan airports for overnight or extended parking is not advised.

Regional airports will therefore play a critical role in accommodating repositioning and longer-term aircraft stays. Operators should plan alternate parking and crew logistics outside the Milan airport system.

Olympic-Linked Flight Assessment and Authorization

Flights linked to the Olympic Games may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis; however, Olympic affiliation does not guarantee authorization. Authorization volumes are expected to be extremely limited and subject to Italian authority discretion.

Operators should treat Milan airport access during peak Olympic periods as exception-based, not assumption-based. Flights that are not authorized must plan confirmed alternate airports and repositioning solutions in advance.

Recommended Airport Options

Airport congestion and parking availability will be among the most critical operational considerations during the Games. Operators should not rely on the Milan airport system alone and should plan confirmed alternates and repositioning strategies well in advance.

Primary Entry Points

• Milan Linate (LIML): Primary hub for passenger arrivals and departures
• Milan Malpensa (LIMC): Major international gateway supporting Olympic traffic

Parking at both airports is expected to be extremely limited.

Parking and Repositioning Airports

Repositioning and confirmed alternates are essential – LIME, LIPX, LIPO, LIFE are recommended. Universal Aviation Italy can help with coordination at these location. LIME/LIPO only quick turn arounds. LIPX only quick turn arounds, LIPH, LIPZ ( possible repositioning) LIPE, LIMJ, LIMZ, LIPK, LIPR as repositioning airports).

Premium Helicopter Transfer Services

For passengers seeking direct access to Olympic venues, premium helicopter transfer options can be arranged. These services offer time-efficient access to Alpine host locations while avoiding ground congestion. Universal Aviation Italy can coordinate helicopter solutions tailored to specific Olympic itineraries.

Critical Planning Requirements

Slot Coordination and Permits

Slot coordination will be mandatory at major airports throughout both the Olympic and Paralympic periods. Parking approvals will be tightly controlled and subject to change as demand evolves.

• Minimal availability for overnight or extended parking
• Mandatory repositioning in many cases
• Tight confirmation windows and evolving local guidance

Early coordination with experienced ground handlers will be essential.

Booking Timeline

Early planners will benefit the most. Crew accommodation in Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo, and surrounding areas is already becoming limited, with pricing increasing as availability tightens. Hotels and ground transportation should be secured as early as possible, even while some operational details remain fluid.

Passenger Olympic Affiliation Disclosure

For any flights planned into or near Milan during Olympic peak periods, operators must proactively determine and disclose whether passengers are formally connected to Olympic activities.

This disclosure is required to support airport and authority coordination and to determine whether a flight may be considered for authorization. Disclosure does not imply approval, and failure to disclose Olympic affiliation early may result in denied access during restricted periods.

Ground Transportation and Traffic Planning

Ground transportation planning will require particular attention. Temporary Limited Traffic Zones (ZTLs) are expected in Milan and Alpine host cities, including Cortina d’Ampezzo, with access restricted to vehicles holding special Olympic permits.

In Milan, dedicated Olympic traffic lanes are expected to reduce normal road flexibility and may significantly impact transfer times. Early coordination with experienced local providers is essential.

Lessons from Paris 2024

Recent Olympic operations highlighted several consistent lessons:

• Early slot and parking requests are critical
• Backup airport options prevent disruption
• Close coordination with local handlers is essential
• Flexibility and proactive planning reduce delays

These lessons apply directly to Milan 2026.

Milan’s Unique Advantages

Milan offers a combination of factors that distinguish it from previous Olympic host cities:

• Multiple international airports
• Established business aviation infrastructure
• Proximity to luxury accommodations and venues
• Dedicated GA terminals
• A growing network of regional alternates

This infrastructure provides more options than many past host cities, but only for operators who plan early.

Key Takeaways

• Capacity across Northern Italy will be the primary constraint
• Repositioning and confirmed alternates are essential
• Hotels and ground transportation should be secured immediately
• Temporary traffic restrictions and ZTLs are expected
• Early planning and flexibility will determine success

Final Considerations

The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will test even highly experienced business aviation operators. Italy is well equipped to host major international events, but the scale and geographic dispersion of the Games make preparation critical. Operators who secure slots, parking, accommodations, and alternates early, and who remain flexible as conditions evolve, will be best positioned for successful operations. Universal Aviation Italy stands ready to support operators throughout the planning and execution phases.