The obvious solution is to open Malpensa officially on October 25th, but to keep operations running normally at Linate.

ECONOMIST: Italian airports

The commission acknowledges that Linate, with its single runway handling 14.3m passengers last year, is operating close to full capacity.

ECONOMIST: Italian airports

It was built on the eastern outskirts of Milan beneath the flight path of aircraft taking off from nearby Linate airport.

ECONOMIST: An Italian story | The

The Italian authorities could then auction slots at the two airports to let the market put a value on Linate's convenience for passengers.

ECONOMIST: Italian airports

Simply transferring equipment from Linate to Malpensa could necessitate the closure of Milan's ringroad and all the motorways and roads that lead to Malpensa.

ECONOMIST: Italian airports

Moreover, grumbles Mr Svensson, the fees paid by airlines at Malpensa will probably be used to subsidise the cost of keeping Linate open for Alitalia.

ECONOMIST: Italian airports

Border police made 49 arrests at Rome's Fiumicino airport, with another 37 in major Italian airports including Bari, Bologna, Milan Linate, Naples, Palermo and Verona, the Italian National Police said in a statement Friday.

CNN: Italian police arrest dozens over Alitalia baggage theft