Milan's main international airport now named after Silvio Berlusconi

The main international airport in the northern Italian city of Milan now bears the name of the late former prime minister and media tycoon Silvio Berlusconi.

Milan Malpensa Airport, which lies about 50 kilometres outside of the city, is now officially called Aeroporto Silvio Berlusconi.

Far-right Transport Minister Matteo Salvini fast-tracked the name-change and gave final approval on Thursday, despite criticism from the opposition.

The centre-right Forza Italia party, which Berlusconi founded, is part of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government in Rome.

Milan Mayor Beppe Sala, a centre-left politician, argued that the airport's name could not be changed because of a rule that public buildings and squares may only be named after a famous person 10 years after their death.

More than 100,000 residents of Milan signed a petition against the change.

Berlusconi, who served four times as prime minister despite his many scandals, died in June 2023 at the age of 86.

He was born in Milan in 1936. The flamboyant property developer-turned-media mogul founded his own conservative party, Forza Italia, in the 1990s and moved into politics. He was also at the helm of the AC Milan football club for many years.

Three airports serve Milan: Malpensa, the smaller Linate Airport, and the provincial airport of Milan-Bergamo.

There had also been discussions of naming Linate after Berlusconi.

Last month, the Milan City Council blocked plans for a Silvio Berlusconi square. Mayor Sala said: "Rules are there to be respected."