Dubai/Milan — October 10, 2025
Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund, ADQ, has expressed preliminary interest in acquiring a stake in SAC, the operator of Catania Airport in Sicily, Italy’s fifth-busiest airport. Reuters
Key Details
Asset on Sale: SAC, owned by local authorities and chambers of commerce, manages both Catania and Comiso airports under a concession valid until 2049.
Proposed Stake: Between 51% and 66% of SAC’s equity is expected to be sold.
Valuation: The deal could be worth €500–600 million (approximately US$580–700 million), based on expected annual earnings of over €30 million.
Regulatory Approval: The sale process is pending approval from Italy’s civil aviation authority, ENAC, with a formal launch anticipated by the end of October.
Strategic Significance
For ADQ: This acquisition aligns with ADQ’s existing investments in energy, transport, and logistics sectors, including Abu Dhabi Airports and Etihad Airways.
For Italy: The sale reflects Italy’s broader strategy to privatize key infrastructure assets, attracting international investors and strengthening ties with Gulf countries.
For the UAE: The potential deal underscores the UAE’s growing investment footprint in Europe, particularly in infrastructure and transport sectors.
Reference:
Abu Dhabi’s ADQ among potential suitors for Italy’s Catania airport, sources say – Reuters
