Dear flights, a ticket to Sicily costs no less than 400 euros

The way things have gone, especially in the last year, it was predictable. And some investigations – like that of Corriere della Sera of a few weeks ago on the surge for Christmas and New Year – they had highlighted it. On the so-called dear flightsthat is, on the increase in airline ticket prices during the Christmas holidays, the data from Assoutients, obtained from a search carried out on Skyscanner, the main flight comparison platform. Well, «whoever is preparing to buy an economy class ticket today to fly to Sicily during the holidays, leaving on December 23rd and returning on Sunday January 7thand is willing to board at any time (even early in the morning or late at night), spends a minimum of 521 euros (round trip) starting from Bologna and landing in Palermo, 465 euros if you go to Catania». This is to give an idea of ​​the most ravaged and expensive routes, those towards the major islands, which don’t seem to be able to be found under 400/500 euros. A cost with which, with advance research and a bit of strategy, in the rest of the year and depending on the calendar you can easily cover a medium-range international route. If not, sometimes, even further.

All prices for flying

«From Turin to Catania, on the same dates, at least 446 euros are needed, 441 euros from Pisa to Catania, 439 euros from Verona to Palermo. The Genoa-Catania flight is also above 400 euros (from 404 euros per person), while from Milan to Palermo you need at least 399 euros per passenger, but you can end up spending up to 706 euros depending on the time and the chosen company” . As for the Sardiniato reach Cagliari starting from Pisa the minimum cost for the return ticket (on the same indicative dates to be able to spend the holidays with relatives and friends, 23 December/7 January) is 395 euros, if you leave from Bologna 381 euros, from Venice 345 euros, from Turin 297 euros. Prices that obviously they do not consider ancillary costsoften salted, for hand luggage on board associated with priority boarding, any luggage to be sent to the hold or the choice of seat.

«Moving around Italy during the holidays is increasingly a drain that empties citizens’ pockets – explains the president of Assoutients, Furio Truzzi – an emergency that recurs every year and which seems without a solution.” At the beginning of November the Courier had carried out an investigation into the cost of tickets to fly to Italy in December, discovering that it would have reached the highest level in the last ten years. And in that case it wasn’t just the connections to and from the major islands (where Sicily will record a +40%, in line with the +43% of all domestic connections) but also with the European destinations. Overall, in fact, short and medium-haul flights – therefore domestic and European or Mediterranean area flights – cost more than in 2019, with a 54% increase compared to December 2022.

Refunds for residents

Returning to Sicilythe Region has activated a online platform which will cover flights from November 10th and throughout 2024 through which residents can request the 25% refund of the cost of airline tickets for trips to the peninsula’s airports. Furthermore, the local administration offers further discounts of 25% for residents with disabilities from 67% of disability percentage, students or people with low income (Isee less than 9,360.00 euros). It’s not much but it’s still something.

Flying in high and low season

Also Altroconsumo compared the costs of flights in different periods (round trip for one person in the peak holiday period – from 23 December to 2 January – and then in a less busy period – from 13 January to 23 January 2024) on eight national routes, towards the islands and beyond.

What emerges from the association’s investigation is that there are enormous differences between high and low season with the islands in mind: from Milan to Catania for holidays you can spend 1,130% more. Sardinia and Calabria also have very high costs, with flights reaching over 470 euros, aligning with the rates seen above. On average the price difference between the two periods is 301%. The Organization has announced that it will send the results of its investigation to the Antitrust.

In general, second Altroconsumo a return plane trip for the Christmas holidays it costs on average 288 euros, compared to 72 euros for a trip in January. Also in this case, Sicily together with Sardinia – but also Calabria – dominate the ranking of the major differences (but let’s also call them inequities): immediately after Catania there is Lamezia Terme, where the difference between the two periods is 830% (a flight from Milan would have cost 448 euros at Christmas versus 48 in the low season). Then, there is Palermowhere a flight on holidays (always from Milan) would have cost 336 euros against 39 euros in January, for a difference of 758%. After the Sicilian cities, there is Cagliari: 477 euros against 76 euros and a difference of 527%. The smaller differences are from Rome to Olbia (11%, from 98 to 89 euros); And even from Rome to Milan, where the variation is zero: the ticket in both periods would have always cost 91 euros.