Skip to content
EN| ES
+1 855 577 9836
Airport Transportation

Catania–Fontanarossa Airport

Also known as: Catania Airport, Catania Fontanarossa Airport, CTA Airport, Fontanarossa Airport, Catania International Airport, Vincenzo Bellini Airport.

CTA · LICC · Catania

Airport facts

Name
Catania–Fontanarossa Airport
IATA code
CTA
ICAO code
LICC
City
Catania
Country
Italy
Address
Via Fontanarossa, 95121 Catania CT, Italy
Coordinates
37.4667, 15.0639
Time zone
Europe/Rome
Terminals
Terminal A for all arrivals and most departures; Terminal C for easyJet Schengen departures

About Catania–Fontanarossa Airport

Catania–Fontanarossa Airport (CTA), named after the composer Vincenzo Bellini, is the airport for Catania and eastern Sicily in Italy. It handled about 12.4 million passengers in 2025, making it the busiest airport in Sicily.

Ryanair and Wizz Air have bases here and fly to cities across mainland Italy and Europe, alongside easyJet, Volotea, Aeroitalia and ITA Airways, which links Catania with Rome and Milan Linate. Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, British Airways and Turkish Airlines connect the airport with their hubs, Delta flies to New York JFK, and in summer Air Canada adds flights to Montréal.

All flights arrive at Terminal A, which also handles most departures. Terminal C, a short walk away, is used for easyJet's Schengen departures.

The airport sits on the plain about 4 km (2.5 miles) southwest of central Catania, near the A19 and the road south to Syracuse. From here, travelers head into Catania, north along the coast to Acireale, Giardini Naxos and Taormina, up to Mount Etna, or south to Syracuse and the island of Ortigia.

Airport operator, runways and traffic

Operator

SAC (Società Aeroporto Catania)

Passengers per year

About 12.4 million in 2025

Runway

One, 08/26, 2,560 m

Terminals

Terminal A and Terminal C

Location

About 4 km southwest of central Catania

Arrival tips for Catania–Fontanarossa Airport

Flights from Italy and other Schengen countries arrive without passport checks. If you come from outside the Schengen area, such as the UK, the US or Canada, you line up at passport control, where non-EU travelers are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System (EES).

Every arriving flight uses Terminal A, so there is no terminal to choose. Baggage claim and customs lead into the arrivals hall on the ground floor, where an information desk, car rental counters and the ticket desks for the regional bus companies are found.

Outside the arrivals exit you find the official taxi stand and the stop for the Alibus to the city center. Coaches to Taormina, Syracuse and other Sicilian towns also leave from the terminal, and a shuttle bus links it with Fontanarossa railway station. Pre-booked drivers usually meet you in the arrivals hall; the road in front of arrivals is closed to private cars.

When Mount Etna erupts, ash can close the airport or slow flights, so check your flight status on the day you travel. Sicily is on Central European Time and uses the euro.

Ground transportation

The Alibus is the simple, low-cost way into Catania; for Taormina, Syracuse or Etna with luggage, a taxi or pre-booked car saves changes.

  • Alibus to Catania city center

    AMTS's Alibus leaves from outside Terminal A arrivals, from early morning until after midnight, and runs to Catania Centrale station through the center, including Piazza Duomo, in about 20 to 30 minutes. Luggage travels on board, but it can fill up at busy times.

  • Train from Fontanarossa station

    Trenitalia regional trains run from Catania Aeroporto Fontanarossa station to Catania Centrale in under 10 minutes, and on to Taormina, Messina and Syracuse. The station is reached by a shuttle bus from the terminal, and trains are less frequent than the bus.

  • Buses to Taormina and Syracuse

    Etna Trasporti coaches run to Giardini Naxos and Taormina, Interbus to Syracuse, Noto and Ragusa, and SAIS to Messina and Palermo, with ticket desks on the Terminal A side. Departures are less frequent at night, so check timetables before you land.

  • Taxi from Catania airport

    Official white taxis wait at the rank outside the arrivals exit, around the clock. For trips beyond the city, such as Taormina or Syracuse, agree the fare before you set off.

  • Private transfer

    A pre-booked driver meets you in the arrivals hall and drives straight to your address in Catania, Taormina, Syracuse or on the slopes of Etna, which suits families, groups and late arrivals.

Compare providers for your exact address

Enter your hotel to see the price and every provider serving it.

Book a transfer from CTA

Terminals

Terminal A

The main terminal, with all arrivals, baggage claim and most departures, domestic, Schengen and non-Schengen.

Terminal C

A smaller departures building a short walk from Terminal A, used for easyJet's Schengen departures. Arriving passengers do not use it.

Airlines and destinations

All arriving flights use Terminal A; easyJet's Schengen departures leave from Terminal C.

Aegean Airlines

Athens (seasonal)

Aer Lingus

Dublin (seasonal)

Aeroitalia

Rome Fiumicino, Bergamo, Cagliari (seasonal)

Air Arabia

Casablanca

Air Canada

Montréal (seasonal)

Air France

Paris Charles de Gaulle (seasonal)

Austrian Airlines

Vienna (seasonal)

British Airways

London Gatwick (seasonal)

Brussels Airlines

Brussels (seasonal)

DAT

Lampedusa, Pantelleria

Delta Air Lines

New York JFK

easyJet

Basel/Mulhouse, Berlin, Geneva, London Gatwick, Milan Malpensa, Naples, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Bordeaux, Bristol, Edinburgh, London Luton, Lyon, Manchester, Nantes (seasonal)

Edelweiss

Zurich (seasonal)

Eurowings

Düsseldorf, Stuttgart, Cologne/Bonn, Hamburg (seasonal)

flydubai

Dubai

Iberia

Madrid (seasonal)

ITA Airways

Milan Linate, Rome Fiumicino

Jet2

Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leeds Bradford, London Stansted, Manchester (seasonal)

KLM

Amsterdam

KM Malta Airlines

Malta (seasonal)

Lufthansa

Frankfurt, Munich

Luxair

Luxembourg (seasonal)

Neos

Bergamo, Milan Malpensa, Rhodes, Zanzibar (seasonal)

Norwegian

Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm Arlanda (seasonal)

Royal Air Maroc

Casablanca

Ryanair

Bari, Berlin, Bologna, Budapest, Kraków, London Stansted, Madrid, Malta, Milan Bergamo, Milan Malpensa, Naples, Pisa, Prague, Rome Fiumicino, Vienna and more

Scandinavian Airlines

Copenhagen, Oslo (seasonal)

Swiss

Geneva (seasonal)

Transavia

Amsterdam, Lyon, Rotterdam/The Hague (seasonal)

Turkish Airlines

Istanbul

Volotea

Ancona, Verona, Florence, Lourdes, Nantes, Salerno (seasonal)

Vueling

Barcelona, Florence

Wizz Air

Bologna, Bucharest, Budapest, Gdańsk, Katowice, Kraków, Milan Malpensa, Prague, Tirana, Turin, Venice, Verona, Vilnius, Warsaw Chopin, London Gatwick (seasonal) and more

Facilities

  • Wi-Fi

    Free Wi-Fi is available in the terminals; it can slow down at busy times.

  • Information desk

    A staffed information desk is on the arrivals floor of Terminal A.

  • ATMs and currency exchange

    ATMs and a currency exchange counter are in Terminal A.

  • Shops and duty free

    Shops, including a Heinemann duty-free store, are in the departures area past security.

  • Food and drink

    Cafés and restaurants are in Terminal A on both the arrivals side and past security, and Terminal C has food service before and after security.

  • Pharmacy

    A pharmacy is in Terminal A.

  • Baby care

    Baby-changing facilities are available in the terminal.

  • Car rental

    Car rental counters are in the Terminal A arrivals area.

  • Bus tickets

    Ticket desks for the regional coach companies, including SAIS, are on the Terminal A side of the airport.

  • Lost property

    SAC runs a lost property office at the airport for items left in the terminals.

Airport lounges

  • VIP Lounge Angelo D'Arrigo

    SAC's lounge for departing passengers, renovated and reopened in 2025, with about 200 seats. Priority Pass and other premium cardholders and eligible airline passengers enter free, and others can buy a day pass on site.

Accessibility and passenger assistance

  • Requesting assistance

    Assistance for passengers with reduced mobility is free. Request it through your airline or travel agent at least 48 hours before you fly.

  • Reduced mobility

    The airport has wheelchairs, ramps and lifts, and two waiting rooms for passengers with reduced mobility.

  • Hidden disabilities

    SAC runs an assistance program for passengers with autism and other hidden disabilities; ask for it when you request assistance.

Parking

SAC runs several parking lots around the terminals; check availability and current rates on the airport website before you travel.

P1, P2, P3 and P5

Small short-stay lots beside Terminal A and Terminal C, for drop-offs, pick-ups and short visits.

P4

A large multistory lot for longer stays, a short walk from both terminals.

P6

A long-stay lot close to Terminal A.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Catania airport from the city center?

Catania–Fontanarossa Airport is about 4 km (2.5 miles) southwest of central Catania. The Alibus reaches Catania Centrale station and the center in about 20 to 30 minutes, trains from Fontanarossa station take under 10 minutes, and a taxi or pre-booked car usually takes 15 to 20 minutes, depending on traffic around the city.

Is Catania airport the same as Fontanarossa airport?

Yes. Catania Airport, Fontanarossa Airport and Vincenzo Bellini Airport are all names for the same airport, code CTA. Fontanarossa is the area on the southern edge of Catania where it stands, and the airport is named after the composer Vincenzo Bellini, who was born in Catania. Your ticket may show any of these names.

How many terminals does Catania airport have?

Catania airport has two terminals in use. Terminal A is the main building, with all arrivals, baggage claim and most departures. Terminal C is a smaller departures building a short walk away, used for easyJet's Schengen departures. Because every flight arrives at Terminal A, everyone who lands exits into the same arrivals hall.

How do I get from Catania airport to Taormina?

Etna Trasporti coaches run from the airport to Giardini Naxos and Taormina, and regional trains from Fontanarossa station stop at Taormina-Giardini, below the town. The drive along the A18 takes about an hour. A taxi or pre-booked car goes door to door, which helps because Taormina's historic center is a limited-traffic zone up a steep hill.

How do I get from Catania airport to Syracuse?

Interbus coaches run from the airport to Syracuse, and regional trains from Fontanarossa station reach Siracusa station. By road, Syracuse is about an hour south along the highway. A taxi or pre-booked car can take you straight to a hotel on the island of Ortigia, the old town, where parts of the center are limited-traffic zones.

Is there a bus from Catania airport to the city?

Yes. The Alibus, run by AMTS, leaves from outside the Terminal A arrivals exit from early morning until after midnight. It stops in the center, including near Piazza Duomo and the port, and ends at Catania Centrale station, taking about 20 to 30 minutes. Luggage travels on board with you.

Is there a train from Catania airport?

Yes. Catania Aeroporto Fontanarossa station is on the railway near the airport, with Trenitalia regional trains to Catania Centrale in under 10 minutes and on to Taormina, Messina and Syracuse. The station is not inside the terminal: a shuttle bus links the two, and an integrated train and shuttle ticket is sold by the railway.

Where do I find a taxi at Catania airport?

Official taxis wait at the rank outside the Terminal A arrivals exit, day and night. Licensed taxis are white, with a TAXI sign on the roof and a license number on the doors. For trips beyond the city, such as Taormina or Syracuse, agree the fare with the driver before you set off.

Which airlines fly to Catania?

Ryanair and Wizz Air run the most routes from Catania, across Italy and Europe, alongside easyJet, Volotea, Aeroitalia and ITA Airways. Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, British Airways and Turkish Airlines fly to their hubs, Delta flies to New York JFK, and Air Canada adds a summer route to Montréal.

Does Mount Etna affect flights at Catania airport?

Sometimes. When Etna erupts and ash drifts over the airport, Catania can close for hours or days, or run with fewer flights, and some flights are diverted to other Sicilian airports. In August 2026, ash closed the airport for several days. Check your flight status with your airline on the day you travel.

What do I need to enter Italy at Catania airport?

Italy is in the Schengen area, so flights from other Schengen countries arrive without passport checks, and arrivals from outside it go through passport control. Non-EU travelers are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System (EES), fully operational since 10 April 2026; the planned ETIAS travel authorization is not yet in operation. Check visa rules for your nationality.

Is there a lounge at Catania airport?

Yes. SAC's VIP Lounge Angelo D'Arrigo serves departing passengers and reopened in 2025 after a full renovation, with about 200 seats, Wi-Fi and food. Priority Pass and other premium cardholders and eligible airline passengers can use it, and other travelers can buy a day pass at the lounge.

Where can I park at Catania airport?

SAC runs several parking lots beside the terminals. P1, P2, P3 and P5 are small short-stay lots for pick-ups and short visits, P4 is a large multistory lot for longer stays, and P6 is a long-stay lot close to Terminal A. Check availability and current rates on the airport website before you travel.

Why book with Airport Transportation?

We provide private transportation from any airport to any hotel at the best price, and we are licensed with complete insurance liability.

Is the transportation private or shared?

Airport Transportation provides private transportation only, in vans, luxury SUVs, or semi-buses.

Are prices per person or per vehicle?

Prices on our website are per vehicle, not per person, based on a range of passengers.

How many people can a van carry?

Regular vans carry up to 9 passengers, semi-buses up to 16, and luxury SUVs up to 6 passengers.

How do I find you at the airport?

Walk all the way out of the airport. You'll see representatives holding boards. Look for the Airport Transportation logo or your name.

What kind of vehicles do you use?

Commonly Toyota Hiace, Volkswagen Transporter, Mercedes Sprinter, Volkswagen Crafter, Chevrolet Tahoe, and Chevrolet Suburban.

Do you have insurance?

Yes. We carry insurance with complete liability for all passengers while using our services.

Do you provide baby seats?

Baby seats are provided with prior notice, subject to availability, one seat maximum per vehicle.

How far in advance should I book?

You can book any time in advance; we suggest one week to one day ahead. Same-day reservations are available.

What payment methods are accepted?

PayPal is our main payment method; a cash option is also available when booking through our website. Credit cards are accepted through PayPal.

Do vehicles have air conditioning?

Yes. For your comfort all our units have air conditioning.

What if my flight is delayed?

During booking we ask for your airline and flight number so we can track delays and wait for you.

Can I make stops during my ride?

Yes, you can add an extra stop to your service during the booking process.

Do children pay differently than adults?

No. Prices are set per passenger range or per vehicle, not per age.

Is my reservation refundable?

Yes. Cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before your pick-up and you are refunded in full. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before service are not refundable.

Do drivers speak English?

Yes. While their English may not be native-level, drivers have the skills to communicate with passengers.

Are tips mandatory?

Tips are not mandatory but are highly recommended; drivers earn them through service quality.

What currencies are accepted?

All prices are in USD. Via PayPal you can pay in almost any currency; cash payments accept USD only.

Are pets allowed?

We can transport domestic pets kept in cages that fit in a normal vehicle.

Is there room for luggage?

Yes. There is plenty of room for one suitcase and one carry-on per person.

What is included in the price?

Every private transfer includes a professional, licensed driver; an insured, well-maintained vehicle; real-time flight monitoring; meet-and-greet service at arrivals; and door-to-door service with no hidden fees added after booking. Your fixed price covers the full route to your destination.

Book a transfer from CTA