# Italian airport privatisation and AAM developments > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/privatization-of-catania-and-comiso-airports > Updated: 2026-08-07T11:32:56.000Z. Sources: 45. Developments: 16. In mid‑May 2026 the Italian government opened a tender to sell a majority stake in SAC, the public‑sector operator of Catania Fontanarossa and Comiso airports. The proposal triggered political debate, deadline extensions, and the activation of the “Golden Power” safeguard for non‑EU bidders. Unions warned that up to 700 jobs could be at risk, while Sardinian politicians opposed the National Airport Plan that links the island’s three airports. By mid‑June fourteen consortia—including Vinci, Royal Schiphol, Aena, Fraport and 2i Aeroporti—had submitted bids and the documentation phase began. The plan also introduced a chapter on advanced aerial mobility (AAM), proposing urban and airport‑based vertiports in major cities and sub‑orbital facilities at Taranto‑Grottaglie. In July, the “Patto per la Sicilia Orientale” was signed by eight unions, consumer groups and municipalities, demanding transparent, legally compliant terms for the SAC sale and presenting a protocol at a 23 July press conference. The Democratic Party criticised the process, noting that private shareholders already hold over 60 % of SAC and warning of governance gaps and job externalisation. The same coalition lodged a petition with the European Parliament’s PETI committee, seeking an EU‑level review of competition, state‑aid and consumer‑protection aspects of the privatisation. On 7 August the Siracusa provincial council placed the airport’s privatisation on its agenda, urging an independent asset valuation, full disclosure of selection criteria, investment commitments and employment guarantees, while stressing the need to preserve Comiso’s role in the eastern Sicilian network. ## Claims - The first phase of the SAC privatization received 14 expressions of interest. (corroborated by 14 sources) - Ten operators were admitted to the second phase: Corporación America Airports S.A., Royal Schiphol Group, Mundys S.p.A., Adani Airport Holdings Limited, Save S.p.A., 2I Aeroporti S.p.A., Mag Overseas (corroborated by 14 sources) - The second phase of the privatization was officially launched at a press conference in Catania. (corroborated by 14 sources) - Officials at the conference included Mayor Enrico Trantino, Commissioner Antonio Belcuore, SAC President Anna Quattrone and CEO Nico Torrisi. (corroborated by 14 sources) - The third phase will select five companies to submit binding offers for the airports. (corroborated by 14 sources) - SAC reported an annual operating profit of €8 million and a projected investment need of about €1 billion. (single source) - The Patto per la Sicilia orientale raised three questions about post‑sale governance, Golden Power and the Comiso industrial plan. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-07: Siracusa Airport Privatization Agenda Set for Provincial Council Siracusa's provincial council, prompted by councilor Giuseppe Stefi, has scheduled a debate on privatizing the Siracusa Airport, demanding transparency, independent valuation, and public disclosure of partner‑s 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/siracusa-airport-privatization-agenda-set-for-provincial-council ### 2026-07-31: Sicily's SAC Airport Operator Privatization Advances SAC's airport privatization moves to second phase with ten bidders; unions demand transparency and public debate over the sale of the majority stake. 20 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/privatization-of-sicilys-catania-and-comiso-airports-advances-to-second-phase ### 2026-07-28: Sicily's SAC Airport Operator Privatization Fuels Political Tension The sale of SAC, which runs Catania and Comiso airports, is prompting Sicilian politicians and activists to demand transparency, staff guarantees and an EU petition, while the Catania mayor faces criticism for 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sicily-airport-operator-sac-privatization-scrutinized-over-worker-guarantees ### 2026-07-22: EU Parliament Reviews Privatization of Sicily's Catania and Comiso Airports Local groups and officials signed a protocol to safeguard SAC's privatization of Catania and Comiso airports, and a petition has been filed with the EU Parliament’s PETI committee to scrutinize the deal’s terms 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eu-parliament-reviews-privatization-of-sicilys-catania-and-comiso-airports ### 2026-07-20: Catania and Comiso Airport Privatization Spurs Coalition and Party Critique Eight groups formed a coalition to set conditions for a transparent privatisation of SAC, while Italy's Democratic Party warned the process lacks clarity and public oversight. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/catania-and-comiso-airport-privatization-spurs-coalition-and-party-critique ### 2026-07-17: Italy's New Airport Plan Boosts AAM and Taranto‑Grottaglie Mobility Italy’s 2026‑35 airport plan adds public service fees for isolated regions, marking a historic step for Taranto‑Grottaglie, while ENAC proposes at least 10 vertiports and upgrades 186 facilities to support AAM. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italys-new-airport-plan-boosts-aam-and-tarantogrottaglie-mobility ### 2026-07-03: Italian aviation unions win labor agreements amid airport privatization Italian airport unions demand a merger and job guarantees through 2049 as SAC privatization proceeds, while Ita Airways signs a new collective contract with higher pay, welfare and wellbeing measures. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-aviation-unions-win-labor-agreements-amid-airport-privatization ### 2026-06-24: Catania and Comiso airports face legal challenges over SAC privatization A Sicilian committee has lodged complaints with prosecutors, the Court of Auditors and ANAC, demanding a pause on the privatization of SAC, which runs Catania and Comiso airports, citing transparency flaws and​ 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/catania-and-comiso-airports-face-legal-challenges-over-sac-privatization ### 2026-06-22: Italy's National Airport Plan Sparks Sardinian Political Opposition Italy's new National Airport Plan 2026‑2035 integrates Sardinian airports, but regional leaders Marco Tedde and Michele Pais criticize a €30 million stake purchase and warn against private control. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italys-national-airport-plan-sparks-sardinian-political-opposition ### 2026-06-21: Italy pushes privatization of Catania and Comiso airports under Golden Power Italy’s minister says Catania and Comiso airports may be privatised under Golden Power; 14 bids aim for 51% stakes, while unions demand job guarantees and the Lega questions political influence. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-pushes-privatization-of-catania-and-comiso-airports-under-golden-power ### 2026-06-16: Sicily's Catania and Comiso airports draw 14 privatization bids Fourteen firms, including major European operators, have applied to buy a majority stake in Sicily's Catania and Comiso airports as SAC moves forward with privatization. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sicilys-catania-and-comiso-airports-draw-14-privatization-bids ### 2026-06-13: Italian airport operators face union dispute and CEO pay rise Genoa Airport denies job cuts after a contested outsourcing tender, while Cagliari Airport’s new CEO receives a tripled salary amid privatization disputes. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-airport-operators-face-union-dispute-and-ceo-pay-rise ### 2026-06-13: Catania Airport manager SAC privatization process delayed, no immediate decisions Siracusa’s consortium is monitoring the SAC privatization of Catania airport, with interest submissions due by 15 June and no decision on public share sales until October. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/catania-airport-manager-sac-privatization-process-delayed-no-immediate-decisions ### 2026-06-11: Italian airport privatizations spark labor and governance disputes in Catania and Cagliari Italy’s Catania and Cagliari airports face privatization pushes, prompting unions and auditors to demand job guarantees and transparency. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-airport-privatizations-spark-labor-and-governance-disputes-in-catania-and-cagliari ### 2026-06-06: Catania Airport Privatization Plan Sparks Political Debate in Sicily Catania’s mayor backs a 51‑65% sale of airport operator SAC, calling it an opportunity, while M5S councillors demand a pause, citing transparency concerns and the need for public control. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/catania-airport-privatization-plan-sparks-political-debate-in-sicily ### 2026-05-16: Italy Advances Privatization of Catania and Comiso Airports Italy moves to privatize Catania and Comiso airports as investors bid, while Sicily's governor seeks details on Agrigento airport plans. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/palermo-pushes-ahead-with-125-million-crispi-waterfront-redevelopment --- Cite as: Italian airport privatisation and AAM developments. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/privatization-of-catania-and-comiso-airports