Milan, 28 August 2026 – Following the positive results of the first test conducted in late July and of today’s test, the trial of a new intermodal logistics model combining rail transport and electric mobility for the transportation of small shipments between Milano Malpensa Airport and central Milan is continuing as part of the European OLGA (hOListic & Green Airports) project, an initiative co-funded by the European Union to support the development and testing of innovative solutions aimed at decarbonising the airport and transport systems.

The trial, known as SPOT (Smart Parcels On Train) and promoted and coordinated by SEA, an OLGA project partner, involved DHL Express Italy and several companies controlled by or affiliated with the FNM Group: Malpensa Intermodale, responsible for the operational delivery of the service; Malpensa Distripark, responsible for the management and tracking of operations; FERROVIENORD, E-VAI and Trenord. The aim is to assess the operational feasibility of a new solution for transporting small shipments from Milano Malpensa Airport to central Milan, combining rail transport and electric mobility.

The tests simulated the journey of a shipment destined for urban distribution. The small consignment was collected from the DHL Express Italy hub at Malpensa and transported by electric vehicle to the railway station at Terminal 1, where it was loaded onto a Trenord Malpensa Express train bound for Milano Cadorna. The consignment transported by train was sized in accordance with the General Conditions of Carriage applicable to the airport rail service. 

During both tests, a service departing before 6:00 a.m. was selected, when passenger numbers are low, and the availability of sufficient luggage space on board was verified, ensuring that the trial had no impact whatsoever on the service provided to passengers. Upon arrival in Milan, the consignment was transferred to a second electric vehicle for final delivery to the DHL Express Italy facility at 99 Via Mosè Bianchi.

The initiative aims to assess the possibility of using the existing rail connection between Malpensa and Milan also for the transportation of small shipments, making use of trains operating with lower passenger loads. The project also aims to test the potential for expanding the functions of airport infrastructure and strengthening the airport’s role as an intermodal logistics platform integrated with the surrounding area.

The trial will provide an opportunity to further assess the operational feasibility of the model and evaluate its potential benefits, including a reduction in road transport, CO₂ emissions and road congestion along the connection between the airport and the city.
The results of the test will now be analysed to identify the conditions required for the potential further development of the project and its replicability, both at Milano Malpensa Airport and in other airports and urban contexts.

The initiative is one of the trials envisaged under the European OLGA project and confirms SEA’s commitment to developing and testing innovative solutions to support the transition of the airport system towards increasingly efficient and low-emission models, through collaboration among the airport operator, logistics operators, railway infrastructure companies and transport providers.