The president of SAC talks about the goals achieved by Catania airport, from the new flight to New York to the strategic role to ensure territorial continuity
There is no person in the world who knows the strategic importance of Catania airport like Giovanna Candura: vice president of SAC (Catania Airport Company) from 2019 to 2022 and, immediately after, president of the same company, she has contributed to achieving the great goals that the airport has achieved in recent years, passing from the centenary of the airport to the record number of passengers in one year, achieved in 2024. Objectives that will be renewed for the coming years with new flights and new investments, starting from the new VIP lounge to the expansion of the runway. Here is the interview she gave exclusively to Amazing Sicily Magazine.
What are the results you have achieved since you have been president of the SAC of which you are most proud?
I am particularly proud to be able to say that 2024 has been a historic year for Catania Airport. We celebrated the centenary of the airport and, at the same time, we reached a significant milestone: over 12 million passengers, with an increase of +15% compared to the previous year. This result has allowed us to climb the national ranking, taking us to fifth place among the busiest airports in Italy according to Assoaeroporti data.
These numbers tell of constant growth and a concrete response to the needs of an increasingly dynamic and international tourism. These are not just numbers, but a recognition of the strategic role that Catania plays in the Mediterranean: a hub capable of connecting Sicily with the world, promoting the economic, cultural and social development of the territory.
Comiso Airport has also received new life, with important investments intended for the refunctionalization of the terminal and the creation of a cargo area.
What aspect of the airport would you like to improve?
We consider the completion of the process aimed at ensuring territorial continuity, for which we have worked and continue to work constantly, strategic. This is a topic of primary importance to ensure Sicilian citizens regular and sustainable connections with the main Italian cities, in particular Rome and Milan, and to strengthen the role of the airport as a public service infrastructure. Another area on which we are focusing attention concerns the improvement of the passenger experience through technological innovation and the digitization of services. We want to continue to guarantee high levels of operational efficiency, safety and quality of hospitality, in line with best practices in the sector.
What are the next goals and improvements in the services already planned?
2025 is a year of great achievements. On an operational level, for the summer season we have planned 84 destinations from Catania, of which 61 international and 8 outside Europe. Among these, the new daily direct connection with New York departing on May 23 stands out, which represents an epochal turning point for our airport and for all of Sicily. It’s not just a flight: it’s a bridge between cultures, economies and communities. We think above all of the many Sicilians abroad who will be able to rediscover their roots, but also of the opportunities that this creates for businesses and tourism. Furthermore, to better accommodate passengers in transit in Catania, we have recently inaugurated a VIP Lounge of 400 square meters, designed for those who want to transform their journey into a complete experience, offering exclusive services and maximum comfort. We are also doing the work of widening the runway, works that take place at night so as not to give problems to regular air traffic.
Our goal is clear: to make our Sicily more and more accessible, welcoming and connected. We want those arriving to find a modern and efficient airport, and those departing to feel the identity and warmth of our land already upon boarding.
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