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Italy investigates soaring Sicily and Sardinia flight prices

The regulator said it was investigating airlines over steep price increases for domestic flights to and from Italy's island regions, after the Italian government shelved a plan to limit fares.

Published: 16 November 2023 16:21 CET

Italy's competition watchdog has launched an investigation into flight prices.

Italy's competition watchdog has launched an investigation into flight prices. Photo by Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP.

Italy’s competition watchdog launched an investigation Thursday into the pricing of flights to Sicily and Sardinia, seeking to address concerns over sky-high tickets after the government abandoned plans for a price cap.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing coalition unveiled a headline-grabbing plan this summer to cap the price of tickets to and from its islands, only to quietly withdraw the move following criticism, notably from low-cost carrier Ryanair.

In a statement on Thursday, the competition watchdog said it had launched an investigation into “the possible negative effects” of the use by airlines of price algorithms on the market and the offers available to consumers, and also into the way ticket prices are communicated.

It said the probe, focusing on routes connecting mainland Italy to Sicily and Sardinia, followed a spike in prices during peak periods.

READ ALSO: Italy investigates Ryanair’s ‘market dominance’ after flight price cap shelved

The investigation could result in new national regulations or airline-specific measures, the authority said.

Meloni’s government announced in August that it would cap the price of tickets between the mainland and Sardinia and Sicily during peak periods at 200 percent of the average annual price.

Ryanair, the leading airline in Italy in terms of routes and flights offered, condemned the move as illegal, while the European Commission also asked for more information.

In an amendment to the law published in September, the cap was dropped.

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Key dates: The transport strikes to expect in Italy in summer 2024

Transport strikes are far from uncommon during Italy’s summer months, and this year will be no exception as trade unions representing airport, rail and taxi staff have announced multiple walkouts which may affect the travel plans of both international visitors and locals.

Strikes are usually planned and announced well in advance in Italy though, and the Italian transport ministry lists them on a handy calendar.

Here’s a look at the walkouts that may cause at least some amount of disruption in the coming weeks.

June 3rd – Nationwide rail maintenance staff strike

Train passengers around the country may experience delays or cancellations on Monday, June 3rd as track maintenance staff at Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI), which owns and manages all of Italy’s railway network, plan a 24-hour walkout.

The protest, which is backed by some of Italy’s largest trade unions, may impact both regional and long-distance services operated by state-owned Trenitalia, as well as trains from private operator Italo.

June 5th-6th – Nationwide taxi drivers’ strike

Cab services around the country may be significantly limited on Wednesday, June 5th and Thursday, June 6th as taxi drivers plan to strike from 8am to 10pm (for a total of 14 hours) on both days.

There are currently no details as to how many drivers will participate in the walkout, but anyone planning to use taxi services on the day should be prepared to find alternative transportation.

People walk next to a taxi in Saint Peter's Square

People walk next to a taxi in Saint Peter’s Square. Photo by ANDREAS SOLARO / AFP

The protest was called in late May in protest against a proposed reform of the taxi sector aimed at reducing cab shortages around the country.

June 15th – Air traffic controllers’ strike at Naples airport

Passengers flying to or from Naples’ Capodichino airport may face delays or cancellations on Saturday, June 15th as staff from air traffic control agency Enav plan to strike from 1pm to 5pm.

Detailed information on guaranteed flights is expected to be released on the Italian Civil Aviation Authority’s website closer to the date of the walkout.

June 16th – Nationwide rail staff strike

Train passengers in Italy may experience disruption on Sunday, June 16th as staff at multiple rail operators, including Trenitalia and Trenord, plan to take part in a 23-hour walkout starting at 3am on Sunday and ending at 2am on Monday.

The planned strike is expected to affect all types of rail travel, from long-distance services to regional and local ones, with the overall level of disruption expected to vary by city and operator.

It’s currently unclear whether or not services from private operator Italo will be affected by the protest.

July 5th – Air traffic controllers’ strike at Venice airport

Passengers flying to or from Venice’s Marco Polo airport may face delays and/or cancellations on Friday, July 5th as staff from air traffic control agency Enav plan to strike from 1pm to 5pm.

Information on guaranteed flights is expected to be released on the Italian Civil Aviation Authority’s website closer to the date of the walkout.

July 6th-7th – 24-hour nationwide rail staff strike

People travelling to, from or across Italy by train may face disruption over the first weekend of July as rail staff around the country plan to walk out from 9pm on Saturday, July 6th to 9pm on Sunday, July 7th.

People sit outside Venice's Santa Lucia station

People sit outside Venice’s Santa Lucia station in May 2019. Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO / AFP

The protest should affect all types of rail travel, from long-distance services to regional and local ones, with the level of disruption varying by city and operator.

July 21st – Air traffic controllers’ strike at Bergamo airport

Passengers flying to or from Bergamo’s Orio al Serio airport may experience delays and/or cancellations on Sunday, July 21st as staff from air traffic control agency Enav plan to strike from 1pm to 5pm.

For information on guaranteed flights, see the Italian Civil Aviation Authority’s website closer to the date of the walkout.

Local strikes

There is no nationwide transport walkout planned beyond Sunday, July 21st.

A number of smaller regional and local walkouts have also been announced for the coming weeks. A full list can be found on the Italian transport ministry’s website.

Summer exemption period for air travel strikes

Anyone flying to or from Italy between July 27th and September 5th can breathe easy: strikes (at least Italian ones) are unlikely to affect your journey between these dates.

Industrial action impacting Italy’s air transport sector is not allowed during the peak summer travel period from the end of July to the beginning of September.

This is called franchigia estiva, or ‘summer exemption period’, and it exists partly to protect Italy’s tourism industry.

That said, this rule doesn’t prevent other types of transport strikes from going ahead in Italy over that period.

How bad are strikes in Italy?

Strikes in Italy are frequent but not all of them cause significant disruption for travellers.

The severity of disruption caused by any strike in the country largely depends on how many staff in any part of the transport sector decide to participate.

And, even in the case of highly disruptive strikes, some essential services (or servizi minimi) are guaranteed to run at peak times. This goes for all transport sectors, from local public transport to rail and air travel.

Keep up with the latest updates in The Local’s strike news section.

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