Air cargo in Italy closed July 2025 on a positive note, reaching 119,700 tonnes and posting a 3.2% increase compared to the same month last year. The result is encouraging but at the same time highly concentrated: the top ten airports account for almost 98% of the national total, with markedly different trends that underline the increasingly sharp polarisation of the sector.
The centre of gravity remains Milan Malpensa, which alone handles more than half of Italy’s cargo traffic. With 68,986 tonnes and a 7.6% year-on-year increase, the Lombardy gateway strengthens its role as the country’s leading hub for intercontinental freight and further widens the gap with all other Italian airports. Rome Fiumicino, second in the ranking, retains a significant share – around one quarter of the national total – with 28,134 tonnes and growth of 2.3%. The capital benefits from a mix of long-haul passenger flights and dedicated cargo services, although it does not match Malpensa’s momentum.
Venice remains in third place with 6,453 tonnes but records a slight decline of 1.1%. The airport continues to serve as an important entry point for the North-East, though its performance shows signs of slowing compared to past growth. Bologna, in fourth place with 5,033 tonnes, fell back by 5.8%, penalised by the downsizing of some regional distribution flows and the express segment. The contraction is far more pronounced at Brescia Montichiari, which with 3,008 tonnes dropped by 22.3%, highlighting the airport’s struggle to defend its position against the strength of Malpensa and competition from other northern gateways.
Among the top ten, Bergamo Orio al Serio stands out with a recovery to 2,225 tonnes, up 4.2%, supported by courier activity and the launch of new routes. Pisa also posted a positive result, handling 1,228 tonnes, up 4.3%, driven by high-value sectors such as pharmaceuticals and technology. The performance of Rome Ciampino was much weaker, with volumes collapsing by 36.1% to 935 tonnes. The shift of traffic to Fiumicino and the reduction in activity by express operators explain the decline, which has eroded the airport’s role in the national logistics chain. More modest but still positive were the figures for Naples and Ancona: Naples closed July with 827 tonnes, up 1.4%, sustained mainly by agri-food exports, while Ancona reached 627 tonnes, up 2.2%, buoyed by the strength of the regional manufacturing base.
The overall picture is that of a market in recovery but becoming increasingly selective. Malpensa and Fiumicino together now account for more than 80% of national cargo, reinforcing a polarisation that leaves limited room for other airports. Medium-sized gateways show marked fluctuations, often linked to individual operators or niche segments, and remain exposed to competitive and logistical dynamics that can shift rapidly.
