The city of Catania. Airport - the main gateway to the east coast of Sicily: history, terminals, transfer

Catania (airport and city) are located in the south-west of the Italian island of Sicily. The terminal is considered the busiest in the province and the sixth in terms of employment in the country. A year through the air gate is more than 7 million passengers. This is the third line in the rating of domestic traffic in Italy.

Whose name is the air terminal?

The official name is: "Catania Fontanarossa Airport". But it is also known as Vincenzo Bellini Airport . The air gates bear the name of an outstanding compatriot of the Sicilians - an opera composer who was born directly in Catania.

Long history

Take a closer look at the history of Catania. The airport counts its start from the distant 1924. Then it was the first airport terminal in the region. During the Second World War, when the fighting was taking place in Sicily, it was captured by Allied forces and used as a military airfield. It housed the twelfth air division and the 340th bomber group, which produced sorties for the B-25 Mitchell from August 27 to November 19, 1943. In addition, HQ, the 51st Troop Carrier Wing used the airfield from September 29, 1943 to June 29, 1944. After the end of the war and military operations in the city of Catania, the airport again returned to civil authorities.

By the end of the 1940s. It became clear that the terminal's capacity was not enough to serve the increasing passenger traffic. And it was decided to expand. So, already in 1950, a new commercial, larger in size and with improved quality of service in the city of Catania was opened. After 20 years of unexpected increase in passenger traffic in 1981, it was once again necessary to rebuild the air station in order to cope with the increased demand.

Development since the 2000s

Great interest in the region has set new challenges for the authorities. So, on May 8, 2007, a complete update of the terminals was completed. This was solemnly celebrated on the island of Sicily. Catania Airport was now equipped with 22 gates and 6 telescopic gangways.

For the next ten years, in accordance with the "investment program" is planned a rapid increase in passenger traffic and a significant expansion of the airport. Here they develop a new infrastructure and many additional services for passengers, including a restaurant with a panoramic view, a new controlled runway area and the construction of office premises.

Who serves the terminal?

The main carriers of Fontanarossa were large airlines. These included Alitalia, Lufthansa and Air Berlin. They carry out communication between many European cities, including Rome, Munich and Berlin. Smaller air carriers, Easyjet and Ryanair, offer many domestic flights to resort destinations.

Terminal

The scheme of the airport of Catania is very simple. It hangs right in the arrival hall. The designations of all objects are written in English and Italian. It is difficult to get lost even if you wish. The terminal consists of one two-storey building, equipped with 22 gates. From here all domestic and international flights are carried out. The board displays the arrival and departure time of the aircraft.

Inside the premises there are many offices that carry out various activities and offer passengers a variety of services. So, you can dine in a cafe or restaurant, make money operations in the bank, and buy in stores. In travel agencies you will be prompted by a further route, if you have not yet decided on the final destination. There is a room for mother and child, as well as a waiting room for increased comfort. If necessary, you will have the first medical help.

Cargoes

The convenient location of the airport in the heart of the Mediterranean, just a few kilometers from the city and the seaport, entails an increased demand for freight transportation through the city of Catania. The airport is adapted to handle large volumes of freight traffic. Infrastructure of cargo at the terminal includes a warehouse for short-term storage, refrigerated storage areas, as well as import and export registration services. Air gates also have a certificate for work with dangerous goods.

How to get to Catania and other 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 a shuttle bus directly to the city center or to the railway station. Directly from the airport there is also a regular bus service to other localities of the island. There are two main highways. They connect the air station to Palermo and Marsalo (A19) in the center of the island, Syracuse and Taormino to the south (E45).

Passengers can also take a taxi. Caravans are waiting right at the exit from the terminal building. Judging by the reviews of tourists, with a truly Sicilian smile, drivers will drive you in the right direction.