Following the positive results of the first test conducted in late July and today’s test, trials are continuing on a new intermodal logistics model that combines rail transport and electric mobility to deliver small consignments between Milan Malpensa Airport and the city centre. The initiative was launched as part of the European project OLGA (hOListic & Green Airports), co-funded by the European Union to support the development and testing of innovative solutions for decarbonising airports and transport systems.
The trial, known as SPOT (Smart Parcels On Train – Small Goods Transport by Rail), is promoted and coordinated by SEA and involves DHL Express Italy and several subsidiaries and associated companies of the FNM Group: Malpensa Intermodale, responsible for the operational delivery of the service; Malpensa Distripark, responsible for managing and tracking operations; FERROVIENORD, E-VAI and Trenord. The aim is to assess the operational feasibility of a new solution for distributing small consignments from Milan Malpensa Airport to central Milan by combining rail transport and electric mobility.
The tests simulated the journey of a shipment intended for urban delivery. The small consignment was collected from DHL Express Italy’s hub at Malpensa and transported by electric vehicle to the Terminal 1 railway station, where it was loaded onto a Trenord Malpensa Express train bound for Milano Cadorna. The consignment transported by train complies with the General Conditions of Carriage in force for the airport rail service. For both tests, a train departing before 6 a.m. was selected, when passenger numbers are low, and the availability of luggage space on board was checked to ensure that the service for travellers was not affected in any way. Upon arrival in the Lombardy capital, the consignment was transferred to a second electric vehicle for final delivery to the DHL Express Italy location at 99 Via Mosè Bianchi.
The initiative aims to assess the possibility of using the existing rail link between Malpensa and Milan to transport small consignments, making use of trains that operate with lower passenger loads. The project also seeks to test the potential for expanding the functions of airport infrastructure and strengthening the airport’s role as an intermodal logistics hub integrated with the surrounding area.
The trial will provide an opportunity to assess the operational feasibility of the model and evaluate its potential benefits, including reduced road transport, lower CO₂ emissions and less road congestion along the corridor connecting the airport and the city.
The test results will now be analysed to identify the conditions required for the potential development of the project and its replication, both at Milan Malpensa Airport and in other airport and urban settings.
This activity is one of the trials planned under the European OLGA project and confirms SEA’s commitment to developing and testing innovative solutions to support the transition towards increasingly efficient, low-emission airport systems through collaboration between the airport operator, logistics providers, railway infrastructure managers and transport companies.
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