Business · Economy · 10 hrs ago
Holiday flights in Italy cost more, but stopovers can cut fares
People travelling across Italy for Christmas and New Year are facing high flight fares, with some return tickets from northern cities costing more than €400.
The fares cover travel around December 23 or 24, with returns on January 6, and include routes to southern destinations such as Reggio Calabria and Catania.
Higher fuel costs are adding pressure on airlines during the holiday period, when many workers, students and families travel to see relatives.
Taking flights with stopovers instead of direct flights can reduce fares by an average of 30% to 40%, according to the figures cited by the travel groups.
For Milan to Catania, a trip via Valencia outbound and Tirana on the return costs €157 instead of €342, a saving of 54%.
The cheaper options may involve connections abroad or landing at a secondary airport and travelling onward by other means.
Fares are expected to rise further as the holidays approach and demand increases.
Airfares for domestic Italian routes during the year-end holidays are already high, with some return fares approaching €500.
Codacons says prices are likely to rise further as the holidays approach and demand increases.
Choosing flights with stopovers can cut fares by an average of 30% to 40%, and by more than 60% in some cases, according to RimborsoAlVolo.
For a Milan–Catania trip, a stop in Valencia on the outbound journey and Tirana on the return cuts the fare from €342 to €157.
High fares and extra charges may weigh particularly on students, workers living away from home and families travelling for the holidays.
- Who
- Italian air travellers, including students, workers living away from home and families.
- What
- Holiday airfares on domestic Italian routes are high, while stopovers can lower ticket costs.
- When
- The fares described are for the year-end holidays; one example is travel from 23 December with a return on 6 January.
- Where
- On routes between northern and southern Italy, including Milan–Catania.
- Why
- Codacons says fares are pushed up by holiday demand; the article also cites higher fuel costs for airlines.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The example holiday journeys begin on one of these dates.
The example journeys return on this date.
- Milan–Catania direct fare
- €342
- Milan–Catania with stopovers
- €157, with stops in Valencia outbound and Tirana on return
- Average saving with stopovers
- 30% to 40%
- Milan–Reggio Calabria return fare
- From €427
- Example travel dates
- Departure 23 or 24 December; return 6 January
What people are saying
In these days workers and students intending to return to their families for Christmas and New Year are buying flights and encountering fares that already appear very high.