Regional leaders in Lombardy and Milan business associations are officially backing Emirates in its bid to secure fifth-freedom rights between Milan-Malpensa and Lima, targeted for 2027. The regional president and the mayor of Milan sent a joint appeal to Italy's Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, calling for regulatory approval by civil aviation authority Enac.
Supporters argue the route addresses an annual market of approximately 150,000 passengers currently flying via connecting hubs, while boosting cargo capacity for local industries. Emirates already operates a fifth-freedom service connecting Milan to New York-JFK, introduced in 2013.
However, Italian carriers strongly oppose the request. Neos leadership warned against allowing an extra-European carrier to build an intercontinental long-haul network from Italian airports. Aeroitalia also rejects the bid, while ITA Airways opposes the move as it studies a potential Rome-Fiumicino to Lima service, possibly for summer 2027.
Why it matters for your training
Fifth-freedom traffic rights directly influence intercontinental route structures, crew planning, and network competition across European hubs.
