Novara-Malpensa rail link sparks calls for additional stops

A new direct rail connection between Piedmont and Malpensa Airport, scheduled to begin on March 1, 2027, has prompted local representatives to request additional stops within the Castanese area.

The service will provide hourly trains connecting Novara Nord to the airport, continuing toward Gallarate, Varese, Lugano, and Bellinzona via an extension of the S50 cross-border line. The route will utilize the Sacconago rail link, which has not been used for passenger service since the 2006 Torino Winter Olympics.

Local authorities have submitted a formal request to the Lombardy Region, the Metropolitan City, and transport agencies, arguing that towns such as Turbigo, Castano Primo, and Vanzaghello lie along the route but currently lack scheduled stops. While the service is confirmed to stop in Galliate, residents in the Castanese territory are seeking inclusion in the new transit plan.