The list of contenders advancing to the next round includes Corporacion America Airports, Mundys, Save, 2i Aeroporti, Mag Overseas Investment, Oman Airports Management Company, and Macquarie European Infrastructure Fund. These groups successfully passed a preliminary selection process overseen by Mediobanca, which has been managing the sale since 2022.

Catania ranks as Italy’s fifth-busiest airport, serving as the primary gateway for Sicily. The stake being offered by SAC—an entity controlled by local chambers of commerce and government bodies—is estimated by market sources to be worth between 500 million and 600 million euros. Beyond its flagship Catania operations, SAC holds the concession for the smaller Comiso airport, which remains under its management until 2049.