Dominated by the majestic Mount Etna that offers sensational views on a regular basis thanks to the lava flows that erupt and overlooking the eastern coast of Sicily, Catania is undoubtedly a much sought-after destination for private flight passengers from around the world.
It is no coincidence, in fact, that Catania's Fontanarossa airport is a crucial hub that makes it possible to depart and arrive in one of Trinacria's most important cities with maximum flexibility, privacy, and convenience thanks to the many services that put the private jet tourist at ease.
Characterized by an historic center composed of white limestone and black lava stone houses, Catania provides several must-see locations, from the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Duomo to the Cathedral of St. Agatha, not to mention the world-famous central Pescheria where age-old customs and the products of the local food and wine tradition have always delighted tourists.
The extraordinary beauty of the Sicilian city also comes from the influences of the different populations that have ruled there, traces of which can still be seen today simply by walking through its historic center.
Landing at Fontanarossa Airport after chartering a private jet to Catania allows VIP tourists to enjoy one of the best experiences ever, namely exploring Mount Etna up close thanks to the many organized guided tours.
VIP tourists also take advantage of Catania airport to visit the beautiful Taormina and Giardini Naxos, locations just a short distance from the Sicilian province known worldwide for its incredible naturalistic appeal and breathtaking views overlooking the sea that it offers. Let's dive right in!
Historical and geographical background on Catania
Catania is located on the east coast of Sicily, at the foot of Mount Etna and an identical distance between Syracuse and Messina. Its gulf overlooks the Ionian Sea, while the land around it is mostly flat with some mountainous relief placed a little to the north. The urban area also includes part of the Piana di Catania, a large cultivated valley that forms one of the city's natural boundaries into which the nearby Simeto River flows. The earliest historical traces of Catania date back to the Chalcidian Greeks, who settled in the territories at the foot of Mount Etna to find fertile areas through which they could prosper. The first destructive event that the small Sicilian town suffered was due to the tyrant of Syracuse, who conquered Catania in a very fierce and violent manner, arousing the equally ravenous reaction of the Chalcis; after which Catania suffered 8 more mostly natural destructions including volcanic eruptions and earthquakes that devastated the city several times. As the years passed, Catania came under the possession of the Vandals, Ostrogoths, Goths and Arabs, flourishing during the Norman period. Yet another outburst of anger by Frederick II of Swabia destroyed the city again, but its inhabitants came out stronger than before by rebuilding it from top to bottom. After Frederick's reign, it was the turn of the Angevins and the Aragons to rule the city, making it the capital of the Kingdom of Sicily until their abandonment. After the Unification of Italy, Catania experienced another very prosperous and rich period from an economic and construction point of view thanks to the work of renewal; today, its metropolitan area has expanded quite a lot, representing one of the largest agglomerations in Sicily as well as a very important junction at the European level.
What to do and see in Catania
Taormina Film Festival
On the outskirts of Catania, in beautiful Taormina, which attracts celebrities and stars from all over the world each year for the most exclusive venues and glamorous events in the whole of Sicily, is the Taormina Film Festival, an international film festival held in July in which feature films, short films and retrospectives are presented as world premieres. The chosen location is the Ancient Theater, a true symbol of the city that VIPs can access via the numerous transfer services organized for the occasion. Among the most coveted awards for the competing directors, actors and producers are the Golden Charybdis for best film, the Silver Charybdis for best director and the Masks of Polyphemus for best male and female performances. The parterre of international celebrities who flock there to attend the event have the opportunity to stay in the best luxury hotels in the area and have access to the film previews before they are even presented to the jury. Wealthier tourists who participate as spectators in the event take the opportunity to visit the beauty of Taormina, such as its beach area at Giardini Naxos with its various exclusive beaches and beach clubs reserved for a very few intimates.
Taormina Art
Catania Fontanarossa International Airport gives VIP tourists access to Taormina Arte, a series of cultural events based on prestigious musical, theatrical, dance and film events. The Teatro Antico becomes the main location where the Nastri d'Argento and the Taormina Arte Awards are presented in the different aforementioned sections: therefore, the celebrities and personalities belonging to the elite class who flock there are many also thanks to the exclusive services that those who hire a private jet can take advantage of to move from one festival to another. In the beating heart of Catania, on the other hand, the Teatro Massimo hosts several operas and plays during its season, from Norma to Tosca, via Aida and Cavalleria Rusticana, all masterpieces that VIPs can admire from the loggioni reserved for them.
Catania's top restaurants
Traditional Catania and Sicilian cuisine is among the most renowned in the entire Boot thanks to the wonderful mix of flavors and smells it gives to those who experience it. One of the most nationally and internationally acclaimed establishments in the Sicilian city is definitely Materia Spazio Cucina Restaurant located in the Habitat Boutique Hotel, a restaurant where you can enjoy a rich gourmet menu made up of dishes that are based on both refined and traditional ingredients. Also worth mentioning is Sapio, a Michelin-starred restaurant that gives the dishes offered to diners touches of tradition and innovation, not to mention Tre Bocche, an establishment that serves the freshest fish, both cooked and raw, to be paired with a varied wine list.
Climate and best time to visit Catania
Catania's climate is temperate, with distinctly very hot summers and fairly harsh winters, which causes significant temperature swings. The spring season is dominated by mild temperatures and very little precipitation, the perfect time to admire the city's attractions while enjoying pleasant weather. Summer erupts quite suddenly, with temperatures reaching 40°C frequently and almost no precipitation; in fact, it is no coincidence that the beach resorts in the surrounding area are starting to become more and more crowded, and getting around the historic city center could be quite tiring due to the high heat. The situation improves with the arrival of autumn, although the weather remains very mild until at least November. In winter, the volcano Mount Etna begins to blanket itself with snow, bringing the city into an almost magical atmosphere because of the fairly low temperatures and crisp air due to the city's much-loved Christmas festivities. The best time to charter a private jet to Catania, however, remains spring or fall, especially if you plan to visit the city's most iconic monuments while enjoying fairly low tourist numbers.
How and why to fly to Catania by private jet
Catania Fontanarossa International Airport (ICAO code LICC) is Italy's fourth busiest airport due to the more than 150 weekly flights it operates. Its construction dates back to the very early years of the twentieth century, when it was built purely for military purposes; only later, thanks to expansion and renovation work especially following the damage caused by World War II bombing, did the airport begin to accommodate civilian and private flights, increasing the number of transits each year. In addition to scheduled flights, the Catania airport soon became a point of reference for charter flights as well, thanks to the many services dedicated to private jet passengers, which include a large VIP Lounge of relaxation and luxury where you can wait for your flight in total tranquility. Not only that, the Bellini VIP Card is also available, which allows travelers to take advantage of Fast Track during check-ins and check-outs, free WiFi, a refreshment area, various PC stations, and a wide selection of local and national newspapers. The distance separating the airport from the city center is about 7 km that can be traveled via the many transfer services made available to private passengers, from car rental with or without a driver to limousines ready to take guests to their selected location.
How much does it cost to fly on a private jet to Catania
Although a good 3-hour flight away, Catania is well connected to Paris Le Bourget Airport; this distance can be covered by chartering a Light Jet at a cost of about €15,000 or, alternatively, opting for a Medium Jet at a price of about €27,000 or a Large Jet incurring an expense of about €38,000. It settles at about 2 hours and 15 minutes the duration of the trip that connects the airport of Barcelona with that of Catania Fontanarossa, another destination selected very often by private jet passengers; availing oneself of a Light Jet to make this route involves an expense of about 12,000€, a figure that rises to about 22,000€ with a Medium Jet and to about 31,000€ with a Large Jet. The most ordinary routes include the connection between Catania and Malta, an island off the Sicilian coast approximately 1 hour away from the city at the foot of Mount Etna; chartering a Light Jet implies an expense of about €7,000, while choosing a Medium Jet or Large Jet has a respective cost of about €15,000 and €19,000.
The most suitable jet to fly to Catania
The Beechcraft Premier 1A is undoubtedly one of the best performing light jets with a top speed capable of around 750 km/h and a range of about 2000 km. The spacious interior cabin that offers the 6 accommodating passengers allows them to get comfortable and admire the splendid view from above that a flight aboard such a luxury aircraft allows them to notice. Among the Medium Jets, it is worth mentioning the Gulfstream 150, whose enlarged cabin compared to its predecessor features a distinctive oval shape that makes more head and shoulder space available for each individual passenger. The two Honeywell engines propel the aircraft to a top speed of about 880 km/h, with an impressive range of about 5500 km that can be covered on a single refueling. The Dassault-branded Falcon 5X gem is one of the Large Jets to date with jaw-dropping parameters: the number of passengers that can be taken on it is 14, while the maximum speed that can be reached exceeds 900 km/h. It is an ultra-long-range aircraft due to a range of more than 7,000 km, enabling travelers to reach the selected location from any starting point in the world.
The most frequent flights to and from Catania
Below of the most frequent connections with Catania:
