Emirates is close to securing approval for a Milan Malpensa–Lima service under fifth-freedom rights, a move that would give the Gulf carrier a new long-haul option from Italy and sharpen competition with ITA Airways’ Latin America plans. Final regulatory sign-off is still pending, but the route could be authorised for the next winter season.
The proposed service would extend Emirates’ presence at Malpensa beyond its existing Dubai operations and add passenger and belly-cargo capacity on the Italy–Peru sector. Emirates has no immediate plan to launch flights to Lima, but the carrier has not ruled out the route and is understood to be assessing demand, fleet availability and market conditions.
The prospect is strategically sensitive for ITA Airways, now 41% owned by Lufthansa Group and expected to rise to 90% in early 2027. Lufthansa wants ITA to expand in southern transatlantic markets, while the Rome-based airline is building its Latin America network from the Italian capital. A Malpensa–Lima link operated by Emirates would strengthen Milan as a long-haul platform and could dilute ITA’s room for growth in the region.
Emirates is also said to be reviewing additional long-haul possibilities from Milan, including services to North and South American destinations such as Los Angeles, Santiago de Chile and Mexico City, although none of those routes has been confirmed.