Summer 2024 promises to be particularly burdensome for those wishing 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 air will have to deal with a significant increase in fares. According to the survey conducted by Assoutenti and Crc, air routes have recorded significant increases compared to last year, making some destinations particularly expensive.
Below, a detailed analysis of the most expensive flights of 2024, for both domestic 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 are the popular routes that saw the biggest 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 international flight landscape from Italy has also seen significant price increases, making some of the most sought-after 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 flight increases are attributed to various factors, including rising airline operating costs, rising fuel prices and the recovery in post-pandemic travel demand. Furthermore, the growth in foreign tourist presences in Italy has contributed to greater demand, pushing prices upwards.
Not surprisingly, these price increases are not just limited to flights. Ferry and accommodation rates have also increased. 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 holiday days or to 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 control 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, flying to Italy is generally cheaper for families. 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 matter however for single travellers, because 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?
On the basis of the announced and confirmed increases, therefore, it may be useful to know some strategies and always valid advice that allow you to understand and monitor when flight costs are lowering (and therefore when it is best to book).
First of all, choosing the right time to travel is crucial. Flights are generally cheaper during the low season, when demand is lower. For example, leaving in late August and September can significantly reduce costs.
But the days of the week you fly can also significantly influence the price of your ticket. Flights on weekdays, particularly Tuesdays and Wednesdays, tend to be cheaper than weekends, when demand is higher. As well as flights scheduled during less popular hours, such as night flights or very early in the morning, which 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 to 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, regularly monitoring 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 comparing prices and fares between different airlines. Setting price alerts can help you know when rates drop, allowing you to book at the right time.
