Question 1

Does Mount Etna ever shut down the airport?

Accepted Answer

Yes — it happened as recently as July 2026. On the night of July 5–6 an eruption triggered a RED volcanic alert: the airport suspended all arrivals and blocked departures "until further notice." By the morning of July 7 departures were still blocked, initially until 2:00 PM; by that afternoon the alert was downgraded from RED to ORANGE, airspace reopened and flights resumed. Each update was posted on the airport’s own News page, and the airport’s own advice throughout was to check your flight status with your airline before travelling to the airport rather than assume normal service.

Question 2

My boarding pass says Terminal A or Terminal C — what’s the difference?

Accepted Answer

Terminal A is the main terminal: all 50 check-in counters, both VIP lounges, the Fast Track lane, and — despite what you might expect — the airport’s only non-Schengen gates (3 of its 22). Terminal C is a separate, single-floor building used only for scheduled Schengen departures, with 6 check-in desks and 5 gates; there is no Fast Track and no lounge there. Check your check-in monitor: Terminal C desk numbers only appear 2 hours before departure.

Question 3

Is Fast Track available at both terminals?

Accepted Answer

No — the airport says explicitly it is only available in Terminal A, with the entrance on the Departures level. It runs 04:30–22:00 and is open to VIP Card holders, passengers on airlines with a commercial agreement, families travelling with children up to 6, unaccompanied minors with a guardian, and pacemaker users, visually-impaired or pregnant passengers with one companion.

Question 4

How do I get from the airport to Catania’s train station?

Accepted Answer

The closest stop, Fontanarossa, is a 600-metre walk from the terminal, or reachable on the AMTS shuttle bus (every 10 minutes, 04:30–22:40, €1 — buy the combined train+shuttle ticket at Trenitalia stations or online). For Catania’s main station, Catania Centrale, take the AMTS “Alibus” instead: it runs every 25 minutes from 04:40 to 00:30 for €4.

Question 5

Is it safe to take any car waiting outside the terminal?

Accepted Answer

Only if it is white with a “TAXI” sign on the roof and a visible licence number on the doors, rear and inside — that is the official Municipality of Catania fleet, with stands at the Arrivals level exit. The airport’s own guidance warns that other cars waiting at the exit may be unlicensed and can charge more than the set fare.

Catania, Sicily

CTA questions travelers actually ask