Ten groups advance to second round in privatization race for Sicily's Catania and Comiso airports
Executive summary: Ten groups have been admitted to the second round of the privatization process for SAC, which operates Catania and Comiso airports. The selected operator will control key southern Italian airports, influencing airline competition, airport fees and regional infrastructure investment.
Who is involved: Bidders include Italian firms Mundys, Save and 2I Aeroporti, as well as international players such as Corporación América Airports, Royal Schiphol Group, Adani Airport Holdings and others.
Likely next: The winning bidder will negotiate final concession terms, with a potential closing of the deal later in 2026 before operational control transfers.
Ten consortiums have been cleared to proceed to the second stage of the privatization procedure for SAC, the company that manages Catania Fontanarossa and Comiso airports. The move advances the Italian government's plan to transfer operational control of the two southern Italian airports to private operators. The shortlisted bidders include a mix of domestic firms and international airport operators, setting the stage for a competitive bidding process. The outcome will shape future airport management, infrastructure investment and regional connectivity in eastern Sicily.
What's next — scenarios
International Consortium Win (50%)
Rapid capital injection and modernization of Sicilian airport infrastructure via global best practices.
- Selection of a non-Italian major operator
- Commitment of multi-billion euro investment plan
Domestic Consortium Win (35%)
Emphasis on regional connectivity and political alignment with local Sicilian economic interests.
- Awarded to a purely Italian-led consortium
- Focus on subsidized regional flight connectivity
Bidding Deadlock/Regulatory Delay (15%)
Stagnation in airport upgrades and potential loss of investor confidence in Sicilian logistics hubs.
- Challenge to the bidding procedure by local authorities
- Extension of the second-round deadline beyond Q4 2024
What to watch
- Official announcement of the second-round bidder shortlist
- Announcement of the final auction date
- Publication of the structural investment commitments from the leading bidders
Timeline
- — Sac, dieci gruppi in corsa per Catania e Comiso (Il Sole 24 Ore — Economia)
- — Dieci pretendenti per lo scalo di Catania. Nella short list le italiane Mundys, Save e 2I Aeroporti (la Repubblica — Economia)
- — Sibeg Coca-Cola investe 51 milioni a Catania per il magazzino intelligente (Il Sole 24 Ore — Economia)
Analysis — what this means
Sectors affected
- Airport operations
- Airport ground services
- Regional tourism
- Aviation fuel supply
Historical parallels
- Shortlist of ten bidders for Catania airport published July 31, 2026 (la Repubblica)
Key entities
Sources
- Sac, dieci gruppi in corsa per Catania e Comiso — Il Sole 24 Ore — Economia
- Sibeg Coca-Cola investe 51 milioni a Catania per il magazzino intelligente — Il Sole 24 Ore — Economia
- Dieci pretendenti per lo scalo di Catania. Nella short list le italiane Mundys, Save e 2I Aeroporti — la Repubblica — Economia