Emirates is nearing approval to operate a fifth-freedom service between Milan Malpensa and Lima, with regulatory sign-off in Italy and the UAE still pending. The route would connect the Italian gateway with Peru on a flight linked to Dubai, extending Emirates’ long-haul presence in Milan and opening a new passenger and cargo market between Europe and South America.
The move would depend on an amendment to the bilateral air services framework and appears to be in its final approval stage. Emirates has not denied seeking the route, although it has given no indication of an immediate launch. If authorised, the service is expected to be timed for the next winter season, which runs from late October through March.
Milan would gain another long-haul link at a time when Malpensa is competing to deepen its intercontinental network. The route could also sharpen rivalry on Italy-Latin America flows, where it may complicate ITA Airways’ expansion plans and intensify competition with European network carriers. Emirates already operates a fifth-freedom service between Milan and New York and is also assessing other Malpensa opportunities toward the Americas, including Los Angeles, São Paulo, Santiago de Chile and Mexico City.