Complete Guide 2025

Catania Fontanarossa Airport (CTA)

Everything you need to know before flying to or from Catania: terminals, how to get there, parking, services, airlines and the airport's history.

10M+
Passengers/year
80+
Destinations
7 km
From city centre
24/7
Open

Table of contents

  1. Identity and key facts
  2. The Terminals
  3. Getting to the airport
  4. Parking
  5. Airport services
  6. Airlines and routes
  7. History of the airport
  8. FAQ

✈️ Identity and key facts

Vincenzo Bellini International Airport of Catania-Fontanarossa is Sicily's main airport and one of the ten busiest in Italy. Identified by IATA code CTA and ICAO code LICC, the airport is managed by SAC – Società Aeroporto Catania S.p.A. and is located in the Fontanarossa district, approximately 7 km from Catania city centre.

With over 10 million passengers per year, Catania Airport is sixth in Italy by total traffic and first in Southern Italy. It serves domestic and international flights to over 80 destinations across Europe and the Mediterranean basin.

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Official name

Vincenzo Bellini International Airport of Catania-Fontanarossa

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Location

Via Fontanarossa, Catania — 7 km from the city centre

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IATA / ICAO code

CTA / LICC

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Operator

SAC – Società Aeroporto Catania S.p.A.

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Operating hours

24 hours a day, 7 days a week

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SAC switchboard

+39 095 7239111

🏛️ The Terminals

Catania Airport has two passenger terminals: Terminal A (main) and Terminal C (dedicated to easyJet).

Terminal A

Main terminal · Open 24/7
  • Over 40,000 m² across two floors
  • Ground floor: arrivals and baggage reclaim
  • First floor: departures and check-in
  • 55 check-in desks with drop-off
  • 8 baggage reclaim belts
  • SAC Vip Lounge (5:00–21:00)
  • 3 ATMs, shops, restaurants
  • 12 device charging stations (144 sockets)
  • Sala Amica for PRM passengers
  • All carriers except easyJet

Terminal C

easyJet only · Schengen area
  • 3,800 m², opened in 2018
  • Approx. 2,000 passengers per day
  • 4 check-in desks with drop-off
  • Flights to Italy and Schengen area only
  • easyJet flights exclusively
  • 2 food & beverage outlets (landside and airside)
  • Gluten-free area for coeliac passengers
  • Tactile signage for visually impaired
  • Walkable from Terminal A
  • P1 and P2 parking for drop-off
⚠️ If you are flying with easyJet, always check your boarding pass to confirm whether your departure is from Terminal A or Terminal C. Airport monitors and the easyJet app display the assigned terminal.

🚌 Getting to the airport

Catania Airport is well connected to the city centre and the rest of Sicily by several modes of transport.

TransportTimeCostNotes
🚌 Alibus 20 min ~€4.50 Every 25 minutes, from 4:40 to 00:30 (until midnight on public holidays). 15 stops to the central station. Valid on all AMT city buses for 90 min.
🚕 Taxi 15 min ~€25 (fixed fare) Fixed fare to the city centre. Available 24/7 outside arrivals. Use licensed taxis only.
🚆 Train (combined) ~30 min variable Walk ~600 m to Fontanarossa station, then train to the centre. Book via Trenitalia selecting "Catania Aeroporto Fontanarossa Bus".
🚗 Private car 15–25 min Via the RA15 ring road, exit "Asse dei servizi". Direct access to car parks P1–P4.
🚐 Private transfer from 15 min from ~€30 Door-to-door service. Advance booking recommended.

Need a transfer from Catania?

Book in advance and travel stress-free from the airport to your destination.

🅿️ Parking

Catania Airport has 5 car parks with different options for short and long stays. All official car parks support Telepass.

P1

Short stay

50 m from Terminal A. Ideal for short trips. First 15 minutes free.

P2

Short/medium stay

Close to Terminal A and C. Covered parking, great for return trips within 24 hours.

P3

Medium stay

Multi-storey car park. Good balance between distance and price for 1–3 day trips.

P4

Long stay

Further away but more affordable. Ideal for trips over 24 hours. Near Terminal C.

P5

Low cost

The most affordable car park. Free shuttle to terminals. Best for long stays.

💡 Book your parking online in advance to save up to 60% compared to the gate price. Rates vary by season and availability.
Compare and book parking →

🛎️ Airport services

Catania Airport offers a full range of services for departing and arriving passengers.

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Free WiFi

Free WiFi available throughout the terminal with no time limit.

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Device charging

12 charging stations with 144 sockets for smartphones, tablets and laptops.

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Food & drink

Bars, restaurants and self-service outlets in both terminals. Gluten-free area in Terminal C.

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Shopping

Duty-free shops, bookshops, souvenir stores and Sicilian speciality products.

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Banking services

3 ATMs, currency exchange and banking desks in Terminal A.

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Pharmacy

Pharmacy and parapharmacy with extended hours. Travel essentials and basic medicines.

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SAC Vip Lounge

Private lounge open 5:00–21:00. Pay-per-use or complimentary with premium cards.

PRM assistance

Dedicated room for passengers with reduced mobility. Specialist assistance to the gate — book 48h in advance.

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Baby care

Fully equipped baby changing facilities in all terminal restrooms.

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Tourist info

Tourist information points near arrivals, open during daytime hours.

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CTA Airport app

The official app shows security wait times, gates and real-time flight status.

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Lost & Found

Lost property and baggage office: open 24/7 in the arrivals area of Terminal A.

🛫 Airlines and routes

Catania Airport is served by the main European carriers, with a strong presence of low-cost airlines and scheduled flights to major Italian and international hubs.

Main operating airlines

Ryanair easyJet ITA Airways Volotea Vueling Wizzair Eurowings Air Malta Transavia TUI fly

Most popular routes

DestinationIATAFrequencyIndicative price
Rome FiumicinoFCO20+ flights/weekfrom €24
Milan MalpensaMXP18 flights/weekfrom €29
NaplesNAP10 flights/weekfrom €19
London GatwickLGW8 flights/weekfrom €49
Paris CDGCDG7 flights/weekfrom €54
Berlin BERBER5 flights/weekfrom €59
💡 Prices shown are indicative and subject to change. Use the search engine to find up-to-date fares.
Search flights from Catania →

📜 History of the airport

The history of Catania Airport dates back to 1924, when the first airfield was built on the Fontanarossa plain. Initially used for military purposes, the airport began handling commercial civil flights only in the late 1940s, with early services operated by carriers such as Alitalia.

By the 1960s, passenger traffic had already outgrown the original infrastructure, prompting a series of expansions that continued over the following decades. The current Terminal A, with its 40,000+ m², is the result of these successive enlargements.

In 2007 the airport was officially named after the Catanese composer Vincenzo Bellini (1801–1835), composer of Norma and La sonnambula, in tribute to the city's most celebrated artistic figure. The full name is therefore Vincenzo Bellini International Airport of Catania-Fontanarossa, though in everyday use it is simply called "Catania Airport" or "Fontanarossa".

In 2018, Terminal C opened — a 3,800 m² facility dedicated exclusively to easyJet flights within the Schengen area, built to relieve pressure on Terminal A at a self-financed cost of approximately €734,000 by SAC.

Today, Catania Airport is Southern Italy's busiest airport by passenger traffic and continues to grow, with new international routes and structural investments planned under SAC's development programme for the coming years.

FAQ – Frequently asked questions

The official name is Vincenzo Bellini International Airport of Catania-Fontanarossa, dedicated to the famous Catanese composer in 2007. The IATA code is CTA. In everyday use it is simply called "Catania Airport" or "Fontanarossa".
Two terminals: Terminal A (main, open 24/7, all carriers) and Terminal C (opened 2018, exclusively for easyJet flights to Italy and the Schengen area). If flying with easyJet, always check your boarding pass to confirm which terminal you depart from.
The airport is located approximately 7 km from Catania city centre. In normal traffic conditions it takes 15–20 minutes by taxi or Alibus.
The main options are: Alibus (every 25 minutes, ~€4.50, 20 minutes to the central station, valid on all AMT buses for 90 min), taxi (fixed fare ~€25, 15 minutes), car rental (available at the airport) and a combined shuttle+train service.
Yes, Catania Airport provides free WiFi throughout the terminal with no time limit. There are also 12 charging stations with 144 power sockets for mobile devices.
The main carriers are Ryanair, easyJet, ITA Airways, Volotea, Vueling, Wizzair and Eurowings, operating domestic and international flights. In summer, numerous charter and seasonal flights connect Catania to northern European destinations.
It is recommended to arrive at least 2 hours before departure for hand luggage only flights, and 2 hours 30 minutes if you have hold baggage. During peak summer season (July–August), allow an extra 30 minutes for security queues.
Yes, the SAC Vip Lounge is available in Terminal A, open from 5:00 to 21:00. Access is available on a pay-per-use basis or complimentary for holders of certain premium credit cards and frequent flyer programmes.

Last updated: May 2025 · Content independently produced by aeroportodicatania.it · Disclaimer