Catania and Comiso Airport Privatization Spurs Coalition and Party Critique

Eight organisations—including unions, consumer associations, local municipalities and professional bodies—have signed the "Patto per la Sicilia Orientale" to demand transparent, legal and publicly beneficial terms for the privatisation of SAC S.p.A., the company that operates Catania Fontanarossa and Comiso airports. The protocol will be publicly presented at a press conference in Catania on 23 July 2026, outlining non‑negotiable conditions for any private transaction.

The regional Democratic Party (PD) has criticised the ongoing privatisation process, pointing out that SAC is already majority‑owned by private shareholders (over 60% held by the Chamber of Commerce South‑East) with only 38% in public hands. The PD flagged governance deficiencies, extensive externalisation of airport jobs, and a lack of clear investment plans, urging any prospective buyer to provide transparent performance indicators and integration with rail, port and inter‑modal infrastructure.