Travelers heading to the Sicily region have two route options: sea and air. Most tourists prefer to travel by air, as plane is the most common and fastest way to get to the Sicilian beaches. Sicily's international and regional airports receive aircraft from Italian as well as other European airlines. To decide where to fly, you need information about the airports: where they are, what services are offered, which airlines' flights are serviced.
Main air ports of Sicily
The Sicily region is the island of the same name and adjoining small islands. The largest airlines operate regular flights from European cities to Sicily's international airports located in Catania – Fontanarossa Airport and Palermo (Falcone Borsellino Airport). Air gates are located in different parts of the island.
Palermo Airport serves the metropolitan region in the north of Sicily. The air port is operated by both leading air carriers and low-cost airlines.
During the summer navigation period, the volume of passenger traffic increases due to seasonal flights. In summer, the Russian low-cost airline Pobeda offers direct flights to Palermo from Moscow.
The services of Catania airport are used by tourists planning to relax on the east coast of Sicily. The air port serves domestic and international flights operated by major European airlines such as Lufthansa, Air France, British Airways.
Catania is connected with many Italian cities by direct flights, in the seasonal schedule there are flights from Moscow operated by S7 Airlines.
If you fly to Punta Rizi
One of the busiest air harbors in Sicily, Falcone Borsellino International Airport (international code PMO), is located in the town of Punta Rizi, 35 km from Palermo. The decision to build the airport was made in 1953 due to the fact that the Boccadifalco airport, which was outdated at that time, could not provide the growing passenger traffic.
In 1960, the complex of facilities was put into operation, and in the mid-90s, the airport was modernized. Until 1992, the airport was known as Punta Raisi. The new name - Falcone Borsellino - was given in honor of two associates in the fight against the Sicilian mafia, who died at the hands of criminals.
The airfield complex includes one terminal and three runways, one of which is located perpendicular to the main runways (used when a strong sirocco wind blows).
The terminal is a four-level building. The two upper levels provide a comfortable stay for departing and arriving passengers. Bars and restaurants are located here.
On the second floor, there are shops offering a variety of goods, from books and magazines to sunglasses and beachwear. For passengers who value comfort, there is a VIP lounge on the ground floor.
Information on the services provided by the airport is provided by the official website of Falcone Borsellino airport. Passengers have access to:
- baggage packing points;
- accelerated access to the landing zone;
- information desk;
- tourist information point;
- luggage search office;
- 3 parking lots, one of which is located directly in front of the terminal, the other two at a short distance (free transfer to the terminal is provided);
- pharmacy;
- first aid point;
- assistance to passengers with disabilities;
- free access to the Internet using Wi-Fi technology;
- lockers for lost items;
- ATMs, currency exchange office.
The airport is located at Localita Punta Raisi, 90145 Cinisi PA, Italy. To find out how to get there, you need to find Palermo airport on the map of Sicily, indicate the city and see the route options.
Transport connection
Tourists who arrive in Pointe Rise from Falcone Borsellino airport go to cities such as Palermo, Terrasini, Cefalu. You can get to the desired point by:
- rented car;
- Taxi;
- bus;
- train.
Independent travelers can rent a car. Car rental offices are located at the airport.
Before setting off, you should carefully study the route, there may be toll roads on it. You can get from Palermo airport to the center of the island's capital by taxi. If there is no car at the exit from the arrivals area, you can order a taxi by phone. The cost of the trip to Palermo is from 35 to 45 euros.
Prestia e Comande buses run daily from the airport to Palermo and back. The interval between flights is 30 minutes. The departure time of the first bus from the airport is 05:00, from Palermo to the airport - 04:00. You will have to pay 6.3 euros for a ticket one way, 11 euros for a round trip. The city center can be reached in 50 minutes.
For those interested in how to get to Palermo airport by train, you need to know that passenger transportation is carried out by Trenitalia. Trinacria express regional trains leave from Palermo Centrale Central Station. The final stop is Punta Raisi station (airport). The ticket price is 5.90 euros.
Trains run from 5.15 to 00.25. At the airport, the train station is located on the underground floor of the terminal.
Air gateway on the east coast of Sicily
Catania Airport (international code CTA) has been operating for domestic and international flights since 1924. The air gate is located 5 km from the city.
The air hub was modernized twice. After the second reconstruction in 2007, a new passenger terminal appeared.
The airport development program includes an increase in the route network, the creation of additional services, the construction of a new runway and office premises.
The airport complex works around the clock. For a comfortable stay of passengers, there are the following amenities:
- tourist information office;
- ATMs;
- currency exchange point;
- self-service restaurants, bars, cafes;
- a waiting room for VIP passengers;
- free Wi-Fi internet access;
- qualified assistance to disabled people;
- parking;
- car rental.
The official website of Catania Fontanarossa Airport has a page displaying an online scoreboard. Air port address: Via Fontanarossa, 95121 Catania CT, Italy.
What kind of transport goes from the airport
Tourists arrive at the airport who want to relax in the nearest cities: Catania, Taormina, Savoca, Syracuse. You can get from Catania airport to the city by taxi, bus or rented car.
Taxi services operate around the clock. Cars are parked to the left of the terminal exit. Taxis can be called by phone.
The trip to the center of Catania will take about 15-20 minutes, you will have to pay from 25 to 40 euros. Thrill-seekers can use the services of a helicopter taxi.
Tourists who wish to travel around the island by car and are confused about how to get from Catania airport to Palermo or another city in Sicily, there is an opportunity to rent a car. On the territory of the terminal there are offices of such rental companies as Hertz, AG Transfers, Sixt, Holiday Car Rental. The cost depends on the class of the car, the rental period. Prices start at 30 euros per day.
The bus is the cheapest way to get to your destination. Alibus buses No. 457 take passengers from the airport to Catania train station.
The interval of movement is 25 minutes, they run from 05.00 to midnight. It is advisable to check the schedule on the website of the transport company, it depends on the season and holidays. The same bus connects you to Catania Airport.
There is a well-developed bus service between the airport and other cities on the island. Information on destinations and transport companies is available on the airport website.
Service of regional and charter flights
In addition to airports with international status, there are also regional airports in Sicily that accept domestic and small charter flights:
- Vincenzo Florio airport;
- Comiso airport;
- Lampedusa airport;
- Pantelleria airport.
Airports are busy during the tourist season. Air ports are small, but they have everything you need for passengers. Developed transport infrastructure allows you to get from the point of arrival to any point in Sicily, Lampedusa, Pantelleria.
On the western Sicilian coast
Vincenzo Florio airport is considered to be the largest among the local air ports. It is located between the cities of Trapani and Marsala. The main function is to serve the NATO air force. At the same time, the airport is used for civil air travel. The name was given in honor of the famous Italian entrepreneur-winemaker.
The Italian airline Alitalia operates flights to Trapani airport. Low-cost European airlines also fly, among which the low-cost airline Ryanair is the main carrier. The airport has a good infrastructure ready to handle the growing passenger traffic.
The air port is small - a terminal and one runway. In the airport building there are:
- a waiting room with a VIP room;
- restaurants, cafes;
- the shops;
- baggage packing point;
- car rental offices;
- ambulance points;
- ATMs for cash withdrawals and other operations;
- newspaper and tobacco kiosks;
- parking (18 parking spaces are intended for free parking of vehicles of persons with disabilities);
- free Wi-Fi.
Trapani Airport is located approximately 15 km from Trapani and Marsala at Contrada Birgi, 91020 Birgi, Trapani TP, Italy. These cities can be easily reached by rented car or taxi.
The airport and nearby towns are connected by bus service. The bus carrier AST will take you to Trapani. If your final destination is Marsala or Palermo, look for Salemi buses.
You can contact the airport staff by email: [email protected] or by phone: +39 0923 610111, +39 0923 843263.
The flight schedule, the airport map can be viewed on the official website of Vincenzo Florio airport.
South of Sicily
In the southern part of the island is the small airport of Comiso, which serves passengers arriving directly to the city of Comiso, as well as to Ragusa, Vittoria and Gela. An airport was built for military purposes. It began accepting civil flights, both domestic and international, in 2021.
Airlines such as Air Malta, Alitalia, Brussels Airlines, Ryanair, Thomas Cook Airlines fly to Comiso.
After the reconstruction of the airport in 2007, a new runway appeared. The building of the passenger terminal is small, but it has all the necessary amenities for passengers: shops at the airport, information kiosk, pharmacy, wireless Internet access, medical center, car rental offices.
Disabled people and passengers with disabilities can use: a parking lot, tactile paths for the blind both inside and outside the terminal, elevators equipped with Braille keys, mobile lifting platforms for boarding an aircraft.
Airport location: SP5, 97013 Comiso RG, Italy. Detailed information on regular and seasonal routes can be found on the official website of Comiso airport.
Pelagie Islands Air Port
Lampedusa Airport is located on the small Italian island of Lampedusa. The air port serves local flights. During the summer period, passenger traffic increases due to seasonal international flights.
On the planes of Alitalia, Blu-express, Danish Air Transport, Volotea, Vueling you can get to Lampedusa from the following cities: Milan, Rome, Verona, Bergamo, Genoa, Turin, Venice, Catania, Palermo.
At the airport there are ticket offices for the sale of air tickets, a service for finding lost luggage, parking, car rental agencies, a bar, shops. Free Wi-Fi is available.
Terminal address: Contrada Cala Francese, 9 2021 Lampedusa E Linosa AG, Italy. On the website of Lampedusa Airport, you can find the current flight schedule. The airport staff will answer questions by phone: +39 0922970731.
Where to fly to an island in the Sicilian Strait
The Pantelleria airport, which is located on the island of the same name, 5 km from the city center, specializes in servicing domestic and small charter flights. Initially, the air port, built in the 30s of the last century, served a military function. The airport was rebuilt several times, in its current form it has existed since 2021.
The air harbor serves regular flights operated by DAT, Alitalia airlines. In summer, passengers are delivered here by Volotea and Blu-Express aircrafts.
At the airport, travelers can buy a ticket at the ticket office, use the services of the luggage search department, have a snack before the flight at the bar located in the departure area, get first aid, and rent a car.
From the airport it is easy to get to any resort on the island. You can rent a car, scooter or call a taxi.
You can get to Pantelleria, Trachino, Kama, Skauri, the village of Siba by bus. The schedule is available on the official website of Pantelleria Airport. Air port location: Pantelleria, Trapani, Italy. Phone: +39 0923 911172.
Finally
Before heading to the largest island in the Mediterranean, you need to know how many airports there are in Sicily. There are six air ports in different parts of the region. The largest are the international airports in Catania and Palermo, located on the island of Sicily. Regional air ports are located on the main island and on the nearest ones - Lampedusa and Pantelleria.
