Catania (airport and city) are located in the southwest of the Italian island of Sicily. The airport is considered the busiest in the province and the sixth busiest in the country. More than 7 million passengers pass through the air gates annually. This is the third line in the ranking of domestic traffic in Italy.
Whose name is the terminal?
The official name is: “Catania Fontanarossa Airport”. But it is also known as Vincenzo Bellini Airport . The air gate is named after the prominent compatriot of the Sicilians - an opera composer who was born directly in Catania.
Long history
Let's delve into the history of the city of Catania. The airport dates back to the distant 1924. Then it was the very first airport terminal in the region. During the Second World War, when fighting was going on in Sicily, it was captured by the Allied forces and used as a military airfield. It housed the Twelfth Air Division and the 340th Bomber Group, which made flights to Mitchell B-25 from August 27 to November 19, 1943. In addition, HQ, 51st Troop Carrier Wing used the airfield from September 29, 1943 to June 29, 1944. After the end of the war and hostilities in the city of Catania, the airport again returned to the civilian authorities.
By the end of the 1940s it became clear that the capacity of the terminal was not enough to service the increasing passenger flow. And it was decided to expand. So, already in 1950 a new commercial airport was opened, larger in size and with improved quality of service in the city of Catania. After 20 years of unexpected increase in passenger traffic in 1981, the need arose to rebuild the air terminal once again to cope with the increased demand.
Development since the 2000s
Great interest in the region posed new challenges for the authorities. So, on May 8, 2007, a complete update of the terminals was completed. This is solemnly noted on the island of Sicily. Catania Airport was now equipped with 22 gates and 6 telescopic ramps.
Over the next ten years, in accordance with the “investment program”, a rapid increase in passenger traffic and a significant expansion of the airport are planned. New infrastructure and many additional services for passengers are being developed here, including a panoramic restaurant, a new controlled runway area and the construction of office premises.
Who serves the terminal?
The main carriers of Fontanarossa are large airlines. These included Alitalia, Lufthansa and Air Berlin. They connect between many European cities, including Rome, Munich and Berlin. The smaller carriers, Easyjet and Ryanair, offer many domestic flights to resort destinations.
Terminal
The scheme of Catania Airport is quite simple. She hangs right in the arrivals hall. The designations of all objects are written in English and Italian. Getting lost is difficult, even if desired. The terminal consists of one two-story building equipped with 22 gates. From here, all domestic and international flights are operated. The board displays the time of arrival and departure of aircraft.
Indoors, there are many offices that carry out various activities and offer passengers a variety of services. So, you can have lunch in a cafe or restaurant, make money transactions at the bank, and purchases in stores. Travel agencies will tell you the next route if you have not yet decided on your final destination. There is a room for mother and child, as well as a waiting room for increased comfort. If necessary, you will receive first aid.
Cargo
The convenient location of the airport in the very center of the Mediterranean Sea, just a few kilometers from the city and the seaport, entails an increased demand for freight transport through the city of Catania. The airport is adapted to handle large volumes of freight traffic. The cargo infrastructure at the terminal includes a warehouse for short-term storage, refrigerated storage areas, as well as services for processing import and export. Air gates also have a certificate for working with dangerous goods.
How to get to Catania and other cities of Sicily?
There is no problem transfer from the airport of Catania. The airport is just 4.3 km from the main attractions.
You can take the shuttle bus directly to the city center or to the train station. Direct bus connections to other settlements of the island are also established directly from the airport. There are two main highways. They connect the air terminal with Palermo and Marsalo (A19) in the center of the island, Syracuse and Taormino in the south (E45).
Passengers can also take taxi services. Cars are waiting right at the exit of the terminal building. Judging by the reviews of tourists, with a truly Sicilian smile, drivers will take you in the right direction.