Summer 2024 promises to be particularly onerous for those who want to fly to holiday destinations. A joint investigation by Assoutenti and the Consumer Training and Research Center (Crc) has revealed a significant increase in transport costs, with increases affecting every aspect of the journey, from flights to ferries, up to accommodation facilities and beach services .
Here is a detailed analysis of the price increases and the most expensive destinations for those traveling by air this year.
Flight prices are increasing: the most expensive destinations
With summer just around the corner, many Italians are preparing to leave for their long-awaited holidays. However, those who plan to travel by plane will have to deal with a significant increase in tariffs. According to the survey conducted by Assoutenti and Crc, air routes have recorded significant increases compared to last year, making some particularly expensive destinations.
Right away, a detailed analysis of the most expensive flights of 2024both for national and international routes.
National destinations
In recent years, the costs of domestic flights in Italy have increased significantly, making it increasingly difficult for families to plan holidays and domestic trips without careful budget control. Here you are the popular routes that have seen the highest price increases:
- Milan-Brindisi: A return flight for a family of four now costs 972 euros, an increase of 15% compared to 2023
- Rome-Olbia: The route sees an increase of 15.5%, bringing the cost to 924 euros
- Milan-Cagliari: Despite a smaller increase of 5.6%, the cost for this route is now 770 euros
- Rome-Cagliari: This route has increased by 19.7%, with a minimum price of 686 euros.
International destinations
The panorama of international flights from Italy has also seen significant price increases, making some of the more popular holiday destinations less accessible for travellers. These increases reflect a combination of global economic factors and the growing demand for air travel. Here is a detailed analysis of recent cost increases for some international routes:
- Rome-Maldives: The cost of flying to the Maldives increased by 44.2%, reaching 1,932 euros
- Rome-Phuket: With an increase of 21.6%, the price is now 1,890 euros
- Rome-Zanzibar: The cost rose by 8.5%, reaching 1,842 euros
- Milan-Crete: This route saw an increase of 6.7%, with a price of 477 euros
- Milan-Bodrum: At the top of the list of increases with an increase of 67%, the flight now costs 1,067 euros
- Rome-Sharm el Sheikh: This destination also saw a significant increase of 63%, with a cost of 906 euros
- Rome-Tenerife: A 29% increase brought the cost to 782 euros
- Milan-Mauritius: The price increased by 24.6%, reaching 1,237 euros.
Why have flight prices increased?
The increases in flights are attributed to various factors, including the increase in airline operating costs, rising fuel prices and the recovery in post-pandemic travel demand. Furthermore, the growth of foreign tourist presences in Italy has contributed to a greater demandpushing prices higher.
Not surprisingly, these price increases are not just limited to flights. Also the rates of ferries and accommodation facilities have undergone increases. For example, a family traveling by ferry with car in tow for the Genoa-Porto Torres route now spends 1,274 euros (+1.8% compared to 2023), while for the Livorno-Olbia route the cost has risen by 6.2 %, reaching 1,094 euros.
Impact on travellers
This situation, obviously, is generating a whole series of consequences that are already tangible. The increase in summer holiday prices, in fact, is pushing many Italian families to reduce the number of vacation days or give up travel altogether. The president of the scientific committee of the Crc, Furio Truzzi, also highlighted that the average increase in holiday costs, which is between 15% and 20% compared to 2023, could lead to a reduction in overall tourist expenses, with effects negative on the economy of the sector.
In response to these increases, the president of Assoutenti, Gabriele Melluso, invited the government to intervene, proposing measures similar to the anti-inflation basket to regulate the prices of tourist services. The aim is to ensure that even low-income families can afford to go on holiday by offering affordable services in major tourist locations.
Is it more convenient to fly in Italy or abroad?
Analyzing Assoutenti data, for families flying to Italy is generally cheaper. Total costs for domestic routes are lower than for long-haul international destinations. In detail, national routes, with costs between 686 and 972 euros, are generally cheaper for a family of four than international routes. Even with the percentage increases, domestic flights remain more affordable than flights to exotic destinations.
A slightly different story however for solo travellersbecause some short-haul destinations abroad – such as Crete or Sharm el Sheikh – can be competitive in terms of general costs (i.e. if accommodation costs and various services are considered), even if domestic routes remain cheaper on average.
When do flight costs drop?
Based on the announced and confirmed price increases, therefore, it may be useful to know some strategies and always valid advice that allows you to understand and monitor when flight costs drop (and therefore when it is best to book).
First of all, choose the right period to travel it is crucial. Flights are generally cheaper during the low season, when demand is lower. For example, leave at late August and September can significantly reduce costs.
But also the days of the week on which you fly can significantly influence the ticket price. Flights on weekdays, especially on Tuesday and Wednesday, tend to be cheaper than on weekends, when demand is highest. As well as flights scheduled during less popular hours, such as those at night or very early in the morningwhich are often cheaper.
Finally, if booking in advance is not possible (considering that for domestic flights the best time to book is generally between 6 and 8 weeks before departure and for international flights it is advisable to book possibly 3-6 months in advance), that that industry experts recommend is take advantage of offers and promotions.
Airlines often launch special offers and promotions to fill remaining seats. Signing up for travel site newsletters, in this sense, can provide access to exclusive discounts and flash sales. Therefore, monitor regularly These promotions can lead to significant savings. However, this strategy is risky and does not always guarantee lower prices and is especially valid for travelers who are more flexible in choosing dates and destinations.
Finally, websites like Skyscanner, Google Flights, and Kayak they are valuable tools for compare prices and rates between different airlines. Setting price alerts can help you know when rates drop, allowing you to book at the right time.
