Milan Malpensa airport is renamed after the late former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, despite significant public opposition, the Italian transport ministry confirmed on Thursday.
In an official statement, the ministry announced, “The renaming of Milan Malpensa airport to Milan Malpensa International Airport – Silvio Berlusconi is now in effect,” as directed by the country’s civil aviation authority ENAC. Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini expressed his “great satisfaction” with the decision.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Amalfi Coast airport, Salvini remarked, “As an Italian and a Lombard, I eagerly anticipate landing at Malpensa Berlusconi.”
Backlash over renaming
Salvini’s proposal, made last Friday in honour of Berlusconi—whom he called “a great entrepreneur, a great Milanese, and a great Italian”—sparked widespread backlash. An online petition against the renaming quickly gathered over 120,000 signatures.
The proposed name change drew numerous online references to Berlusconi’s notorious “Bunga Bunga” parties, reflecting his controversial legacy. Berlusconi, a prominent media mogul and political figure, was often embroiled in scandals and legal issues until his death last year at age 86.
Milan’s centre-left mayor, Beppe Sala, was a vocal critic of the renaming. He had previously halted attempts to rename the city’s other airport, Linate, after Berlusconi, citing the former prime minister’s history of corruption, fraud, and underage sex charges.
Sala also opposed bypassing Italy’s rule that public places can only be named after individuals who have been deceased for at least 10 years.
The renaming controversy also led to a flurry of alternative suggestions, honouring notable Milanese figures such as Italy’s first female pilot, Rosina Ferrario, and legendary dancer Carla Fracci.
