Italian flag-carrier Alitalia is intending to double its passenger numbers from Milan Malpensa to 3 million over the next three years.

It has outlined a three-year development plan which includes increasing its route network at the airport from 20 to 32 destinations by 2012.

Alitalia is also aiming for a more modest 11% rise in passengers at Milan Linate - from where it serves 24 destinations - over the same period.

By 2012 the overall number of destinations from Milan will rise from 39 last year to 47.

The carrier's Malpensa network covers five intercontinental destinations, with the airline planning to add Miami this year. Alitalia is taking delivery of two additional Airbus A330s in June, which will be based at Malpensa.

Alitalia and its Air One division will also operate to four other international destinations - including the new routes of Ibiza and Palma de Mallorca - plus 10 domestic.

Next year Air One wants to open 10 more international routes including Munich, Warsaw, Budapest, Istanbul and Sofia.

Alitalia states that it plans to increase passenger numbers at Milan Linate to 6 million by 2012.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news