Roberta Aguirre
Sicily has four international airports, with an additional Reggio Calabria Airport in Calabria that can be used for travel to the northern part of the island. The four international airports are: Catania Fontanarossa Airport, Palermo Falcone-Borsellino Airport, Trapani-Birgi Airport, and Ragusa Comiso Airport. Each airport services different regions of Sicily, so the best airport to fly into depends on your travel plans.
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What You'll Learn
- Catania Fontanarossa Airport: Sicily's biggest and busiest airport
- Palermo Falcone-Borsellino Airport: Main airport in northwest Sicily
- Trapani-Birgi Airport: Popular for travellers visiting Trapani and the Egadi Islands
- Comiso Airport: Direct flights to 11 destinations
- Reggio Calabria Airport: Serves the northern part of Sicily
Catania Fontanarossa Airport: Sicily's biggest and busiest airport
With six airports in total, Sicily has multiple gateways to welcome visitors to this Italian island. However, Catania Fontanarossa Airport stands out as the biggest and busiest airport in Sicily. Also known as Vincenzo Bellini Airport, it is named after the opera composer Vincenzo Bellini, a native of Catania.
Located just 4.3 kilometres southwest of Catania, the island's second-largest city, Catania Fontanarossa Airport is easily accessible. The airport is situated close to the A19 motorway, which conveniently connects Catania with Palermo and central Sicily. Additionally, the European route E45 provides a direct link to Syracuse in the south. For those travelling by public transport, a shuttle bus service is available from the airport to Catania city centre and the Central Train Station. Scheduled bus services also connect the airport to other parts of Sicily, making it a convenient gateway to the island.
Catania Fontanarossa Airport caters to a wide range of travellers, offering both major airlines and low-cost carriers. Notable airlines using the airport include ITA Airways, Lufthansa, KLM, easyJet, and Ryanair. The airport serves numerous European destinations, including Rome, Munich, Amsterdam, and Berlin. The Catania/Fontanarossa – Rome/Fiumicino route is particularly popular, ranking as Italy's busiest air route and Europe's second busiest in 2021.
To accommodate its high passenger volume, Catania Fontanarossa Airport has undergone expansions and improvements over the years. In 2007, a new terminal was opened, featuring 22 gates and six loading bridges. The airport's "investment programme" continues to drive growth, with recent additions including a panoramic restaurant, a new airside runway, and additional office space.
With its central location, convenient transport links, and a wide range of flight options, Catania Fontanarossa Airport is an ideal choice for travellers visiting Sicily. Its status as the island's busiest airport underscores its importance as a gateway to Sicily's rich cultural and natural offerings.
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Palermo Falcone-Borsellino Airport: Main airport in northwest Sicily
Palermo Falcone-Borsellino Airport, formerly known as Punta Raisi Airport, is an international airport located in Cinisi, 28 to 35 kilometres northwest of Palermo, the capital city of Sicily. It is the second busiest airport in Sicily, handling 7,118,057 passengers in 2022. The airport is named after two leading anti-mafia judges, Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino, who were murdered by the Sicilian Mafia in 1992. A plaque featuring their portraits can be found outside one of the main entrances to the departure hall.
Falcone-Borsellino Airport is a busy airport, with many national and international flights. It has one terminal, with arrivals and departures located in the upper levels. The airport is served by a range of airlines, including low-cost carriers such as Ryanair, easyJet, and Norwegian Air Shuttle. Palermo Airport has been operational since 1985 and is easily accessible from the city centre, with a journey time of approximately 40 minutes by car.
The airport offers a variety of services and amenities for travellers. There are two ATMs located within the terminal, one on the first floor in the "Check-in B" area and the other on the second floor in the Departure Hall. Two currency exchange offices are also available, one in the "Check-in Area A" and another in the Departure Hall. Additionally, a Customer Care station has been established to handle any complaints, comments, or suggestions, ensuring a positive travel experience for all users. A first-aid facility, staffed by doctors, is located on the first floor of the Check-in Area B for any medical emergencies.
For those travelling to and from the airport, there are several transportation options available. Palermo's metropolitan railway service connects the airport to the city, with a train every 30 minutes during weekdays between early morning and 10:00 pm. Private bus companies also provide connections to Palermo and other destinations in Sicily, including Catania and Messina.
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Trapani-Birgi Airport: Popular for travellers visiting Trapani and the Egadi Islands
Sicily has six airports in total, four of which are international airports serving touristic flights. The largest and main airport in Sicily is Catania-Fontanarossa, followed by Palermo Falcone-Borsellino, Trapani Birgi, and Comiso Pio La Torre. There are also two smaller airports, Lampedusa and Pantelleria, which operate only domestic flights.
Trapani-Birgi Airport (IATA: TPS, ICAO: LICT), officially named Vincenzo Florio, is a military air base and public airport serving Trapani, a city on the western coast of Sicily. It is one of the five civil airports in Sicily and is located between Trapani and Marsala. The airport is approximately 15 kilometres (9.2 miles) south of Trapani and is known for its favourable geographic location in the middle of the Mediterranean, making it an ideal landing place for all air traffic between Europe and North Africa. The climate in Trapani is mild all year, another advantage for travellers passing through this airport.
Trapani-Birgi Airport was opened in the early 1960s but experienced a long period of inactivity. It was relaunched in 2003 and now hosts several flights, mainly low-cost connections. In 2024, 1.07 million passengers passed through the airport, making it the third busiest airport in Sicily.
The airport has a range of facilities, including check-in desks, waiting lounges, luggage conveyors, access gates, cafeterias, hospitality services, lounges for disabled passengers, car rental offices, and a first aid room. The Departures area has a VIP lounge, boarding gates for domestic and international flights, and an area dedicated to food and shopping.
Travellers planning to visit western Sicily, including cities such as Cefalù, Caltanissetta, Trapani, Marsala, and Agrigento, will find that Trapani-Birgi Airport is a convenient option. The airport is well connected to the surrounding area, with a new railway station expected to be operational by 2026, providing a direct 45-minute train link to Palermo Airport.
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Comiso Airport: Direct flights to 11 destinations
Comiso Airport, also known as Comiso Pio La Torre Airport and identified by the airport code CIY, is a small international airport in Sicily, Italy. It is located in the Noto Valley and serves the city of Comiso.
Comiso Airport offers direct flights to several destinations across Europe. While sources suggest the number of destinations varies between 8 and 11, it is clear that the airport provides connections to several key locations.
For those travelling within Italy, Comiso Airport offers non-stop flights to Milan (Bergamo and Malpensa), Parma, Rome (Fiumicino), and Verona. Milan (Bergamo) is served by AeroItalia and FlexFlight, while Neos provides the only direct service to Milan (Malpensa). AeroItalia and FlexFlight also operate direct flights to Parma and Rome (Fiumicino). Additionally, Neos offers a seasonal direct service to Verona, typically available from June to September.
Beyond Italy, Comiso Airport provides direct connections to two destinations in France: Lille and Paris (Orly). The route to Lille, served by Volotea, operates seasonally from April to October. Meanwhile, Transavia offers the only direct service to Paris (Orly), also on a seasonal basis from April to September.
Comiso Airport also offers direct flights to Tirana, Albania, and seasonal services to Mediterranean destinations known for their beautiful coastlines and rich cultural heritage. These routes provide a blend of relaxation, nature, and cultural exploration.
With a range of direct flight options, Comiso Airport facilitates convenient travel to and from Sicily, making it a viable gateway to the island and the surrounding region.
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Reggio Calabria Airport: Serves the northern part of Sicily
Reggio Calabria Airport, also known as Aeroporto dello Stretto (Airport of the Strait) or Tito Minniti Airport, is located in southern Italy. Despite being situated in Reggio Calabria, Italy, the airport serves the northern part of Sicily. It is approximately 100 kilometres (60 mi) north of Catania Airport in Sicily.
The airport is easily accessible by car, train, bus, and hydrofoil. It is around 5 kilometres (3 mi) south of Reggio's historic city centre and can be reached in 7 minutes by regional train from Reggio Calabria Centrale or Melito di Porto Salvo. The airport can also be reached by bus routes 27 and 27/ from the University and San Brunello and by the Port-Airport direct route.
Reggio Calabria Airport has two runways: runway 15/33 (the main runway) and runway 11/29 (the secondary runway). The airport has a large parking area with 180 spaces, open 24/7, with staff available from 08:00 to 20:00. The airport also has several dining options and a shop selling typical Calabrian products.
The following airlines operate regular scheduled and charter flights at Reggio Calabria Airport: Alitalia, Blu-express, and Blue Air. Daily flights depart and arrive from several Italian cities and are seasonally augmented by flights to various other countries.
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Frequently asked questions
The best airport in Sicily depends on your travel plans. If you're visiting western Sicily, including cities like Cefalù, Caltanissetta, and Trapani, the Airport of Palermo is a good choice. If you're travelling to eastern Sicily, Catania Airport is a better option.
Palermo Airport, officially known as Falcone–Borsellino Airport, is the main airport in northwest Sicily. It offers a wide range of flight connections, including long-haul flights to Europe and North Africa. Palermo is Sicily's largest city, offering plenty of cultural attractions, entertainment, and food.
Catania Airport, also known as Catania Fontanarossa Airport, is Sicily's biggest and busiest airport, serving over 10 million passengers in 2023. It is located in eastern Sicily and is easily accessible by public transportation. The airport offers various domestic and international flight connections, and it only takes 30 minutes to drive into Catania's city centre.
Yes, there are two other international airports in Sicily: Trapani-Birgi Airport on the west coast and Ragusa Comiso Airport (also known as Pio La Torre Airport) in the south. There are also two smaller airports, Lampedusa and Pantelleria, which operate only domestic flights.
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