For a few years now, the Italian Aviation Friends Society, known as 'Clipper' has organised a series of days, whereby their members and families spend a day inside Milan Malpensa Airport. Myself and Kevin Broadbent (also of this list) were delighted to become the first British enthusiasts to join one of these days Sunday, 27th June.
I had been in e-mail cntact with Guido Allieri (the resident expert at Malpensa) for some time regarding a visit, and late last year he told us that we could join the 2004 trip. We had intended to go to Malpensa this year anyway, so we just made sure that our trip coincided with the Clipper Day.

The trip started at 09:00 with a baggage check at the Alitalia Crew Building at the North end of Malpensa, before approximately 60 of us went airside to board the shuttle bus which was to be our transport for the day. Our first stop on this years trip was to an Alitalia 777 parked at the far South end of the Airfield, so the bus had to pass all of the T1 stands, as well as the remote stands, in order to get us there....excellent start!
We then spent around an hour on and around I-DISO, doing pretty much what we wanted,including standing under the aircraft logging and photographing the proceedings on the runways and taxiways. Superb....

Next, we travelled right around the inside perimeter track to the South East side, adjacent to Runway 35R, to catch some landing and departing shots.
After around 30 minutes, we then moved on again to a spot adjacent to the touch down point for 35R. It just kept getting better....
One point I need to make here is that the weather was very hot, although the shuttle bus door were left open both sides to let some breeze in, and also so you could sit inside as necessary.

Next (around 12:30) we went to a canteen next to T2 arrivals for lunch; you are given a ticket to present to the cash desks after you have made your choice - the ticket allowed for a main course and fruit or Yoghurt, etc, with a very large and good choice. Guido and a couple of friends then invited us to have a short break in a Bar next door (NOT on the itinerary!) and we spent an interesting time discussing Aviation, Manchester United, etc.....as you do !

We then returned airside to rejoin the Bus, after another baggage check, then spent some time at the small Fire station between the two Runways and adjacent to the T2 ramp area, close to the turn off and taxi point for 35R.
A great location - we could take close-ups of Aircraft exiting the end of 35R onto the Taxiways, plus Departures off 35L, and Aircraft taxying out from T2 were passing by just a few meters away....

Next came, for us, the highlight of the day.
We went to the Main Fire Station, where the Fire Brigade gave a demonstration of the Water firing capabilities of one of its Units. This spot is again between the Runways and just South of the high speed turn off for 35R, meaning that absolutely nothing was missed.
We agreed that this is the best spot on the Airfield; suffice to say that more film was shot in an hour here than at any other time over the weekend.

The next visit was to the De-icing station adjacent to the touch down point for R35L. Unfortunately, the Runway set up had changed, so aftersome discussion we moved on to a position just South of T1, so that we could see / snap the movements around 35L and its taxiways.

The Tour came to an end at approximately 17:00, after an excellent day was had by all.

The total cost for the day ? - 15 Euro including lunch. I defy anyone to find any better value than that !!!

Our very great gratitude goes to Guido Allieri - web site (www.allieri.com), e-mail (mailto:guido.jet@libero.it) - a very friendly and helpful guy, who made us extremely welcome, and also made sure that we didn't feel like 'outsiders'. He also confirmed to us that they are happy for visitors to come on the Clipper days, as it helps their case with the Airport authorities.
Also our gratitude must go to the happy band of enthusiasts from Clipper, who made us very welcome; including the Police Officer in their midst who arranged all the necessary security details....

A couple of quick points just in closing, as we understand that there is a UK contingent going across for the next Clipper day in September:

1. This is a Family day, and around 50% of those attending were just happy to get close to the action, with no interest whatsoever in our hobby. This concept took a little getting used to !

2. Kevin and I went for a drink with Guido and another enthusiast after the event, and at around 6pm, the temperature was 38 degrees....be prepared !

3. The Italian Authorities do not understand our hobby; our group was actually visited by Security staff unhappy about 'civilians' being airside- even though we had all necessary permissions.

4. The Italian Authorities have no concept whatever of logging - subtlety is absolutely necessary all around Malpensa, whether Airside or not.

I hope I haven't bored you, but I believe that this is an unbelievable concept - especially at an Airport with no less than three levels of security!
Now, if we could just get something organised for Heathrow, or Manchester,or....

Special Thanks to:

SEA SOCIETA' ESERCIZI AEROPORTUALI - LINATE E MALPENSA
SEA HANDLING MALPENSA
ENAC, DIREZIONE DI CIRCOSCRIZIONE AEROPORTUALE
POLIZIA DI FRONTIERA AEREA
COMANDO STAZIONE CARABINIERI, MALPENSA
UFFICIO DOGANALE, MALPENSA
COMANDO GUARDIA DI FINANZA, MALPENSA
COMANDO PROVINCIALE VIGILI DEL FUOCO, VARESE
COMANDO ELINUCLEO VIGILI DEL FUOCO, MALPENSA
VOLARE GROUP, GALLARATE
ALITALIA S.P.A. UFFICIO STAMPA, ROMA
ALITALIA S.P.A., DIREZIONE DI SCALO, MALPENSA
ALITALIA S.P.A. NUCLEO TECNICO , MALPENSA.