Low cost ones no longer exist? A legitimate question given the expensive flights. Today it seems almost impossible to find offers at 9.99 euros, the prices for EU capitals and the South have risen considerably, not only during the Easter period or between 25 April and 1 May but also in the so-called “dead” periods. A plane ticket to these destinations mentioned with a “low cost” airline can cost up to 170 euros. Here’s how to save.
The period
During the period that encompasses the Easter holidays, April 25th and May 1st, there is a tendency towards increase in travel prices, with clear increases or still significantly high rates in several cases. This trend is also often fueled by the algorithms used to establish costs, which take into account various factors such as the destination, time and booking method. In particular, during Easter, among all airlines, including Ita Airways, rates can be observed that can reach up to 200-300 euros for a single ticket. For example, the recorded average costs show a 139% increase for trips from Rome to Brindisi and 93% for flights from Milan to Catania. These significant increases reflect strong demand during the holidays, leading to considerable variation in air travel prices during this period. The data comes from a study of the surveys carried out for Il Messaggero by Federconsumatori and Assoutenti.
When to buy tickets
When is the best time to buy airline tickets to try to save? The optimal days would seem to be Tuesday and Wednesday, as at those times the pressure from buyers tends to decrease, while the ideal time is after 11pm. Furthermore, it is advisable to look for the best rates online on Thursday and Sunday morning, preferably early, after at night, when the databases are updated with new flights, sometimes at lower prices than the previous ones. Even the months can cause prices to rise or not, it is important to keep in mind that those considered “low season”, such as November, January and February, often offer cheaper rates. These are simple but crucial tips, especially considering that most travelers, especially the under 35 generation, make their travel purchases exclusively online, with the aim of getting the best price and maximizing savings.
How to find low cost flights
To find a cheap airline ticket and avoid any sudden increases in fares, it is advisable to browse anonymously to escape the “dynamic pricing“, a practice in which airlines increase fares when they notice an increase in passenger interest. Using platforms that provide a complete overview of available flights and their costs can help to have a complete view of the offers but be careful , it is best to go to the company’s official website to proceed with the booking. Once on the chosen platform, it is a good idea to enter your travel route and carefully examine the best offers available. When the most convenient offer has been identified, it is advisable to transfer directly on the airline’s official website to purchase the ticket.
What happened
The Italian air transport market recorded approximately 163 million passengers in 2023. The market has little supply and more demand and so prices rise.
Low-cost airlines have underlined how after the losses and redundancies caused by Covid, the two main aircraft manufacturers have had model-specific problems (from the engines of the Airbus A320 to the doors of the Boeing 737 Max9), decreasing the offer by 5% over 2019 and the price of fuel has increased by 50% in five years.
