With less than four weeks to Christmas, consumer-watchdog Assoutenti warns that Italian travellers face eye-watering price hikes across air, rail and road transport. A fare survey published on 30 November shows return flights between Turin and Palermo (24 December–6 January) starting at €505, while the Pisa-Catania route is quoted at €492. Peak-demand fares reach an astonishing €800 for flexible seats on certain trunk routes, roughly double pre-pandemic averages.
The association attributes the spike to capacity constraints—several airlines have curtailed winter schedules to focus on profitable long-haul—and to surging jet-fuel prices, up 18 % year-on-year. Rail fares on Frecciarossa Milan-Naples services are also up 11 %, and rental-car rates in southern airports have risen 14 %.
![Christmas ‘Price Shock’: Italy’s Domestic Air Fares Top €800 Return]()
For companies with year-end travel needs, the advice is clear: lock in itineraries immediately, consider mixed-mode tickets (e.g., rail + low-cost carrier) and pre-approve higher per-diem allowances. Firms relocating staff for January start dates may wish to shift move-in dates or provide temporary housing until mid-January when fares recede.
Assoutenti is calling on Italy’s Antitrust Authority and the Ministry of Enterprises to investigate possible price-gouging by carriers using algorithmic pricing models. Similar probes in 2024 led to voluntary price-caps on Sardinia and Sicily routes, but those caps exclude the Christmas period. Lawmakers from both governing coalition and opposition have already tabled parliamentary questions, suggesting new regulation could arrive before Easter.
While high-season costs are nothing new, this year’s levels threaten to make domestic air travel prohibitive for SMEs and public-sector employees. Global-mobility managers should budget for continued fare volatility into 2026, especially around holidays when labour strikes and Etna-related diversions tighten supply further.
The association attributes the spike to capacity constraints—several airlines have curtailed winter schedules to focus on profitable long-haul—and to surging jet-fuel prices, up 18 % year-on-year. Rail fares on Frecciarossa Milan-Naples services are also up 11 %, and rental-car rates in southern airports have risen 14 %.
For companies with year-end travel needs, the advice is clear: lock in itineraries immediately, consider mixed-mode tickets (e.g., rail + low-cost carrier) and pre-approve higher per-diem allowances. Firms relocating staff for January start dates may wish to shift move-in dates or provide temporary housing until mid-January when fares recede.
Assoutenti is calling on Italy’s Antitrust Authority and the Ministry of Enterprises to investigate possible price-gouging by carriers using algorithmic pricing models. Similar probes in 2024 led to voluntary price-caps on Sardinia and Sicily routes, but those caps exclude the Christmas period. Lawmakers from both governing coalition and opposition have already tabled parliamentary questions, suggesting new regulation could arrive before Easter.
While high-season costs are nothing new, this year’s levels threaten to make domestic air travel prohibitive for SMEs and public-sector employees. Global-mobility managers should budget for continued fare volatility into 2026, especially around holidays when labour strikes and Etna-related diversions tighten supply further.
