Distribuzione e Revenue

✈ In the European airspace, traffic is growing on average, yet countries like France, UK, and Germany lag behind. Germany's airports have called for political intervention due to the traffic shortfall. Southern and Eastern Europe surpass pre-pandemic levels, with Greece at +18%, Turkey at +12%, Portugal and Poland at +9%, Spain at +7%, and Italy seventh in Eurocontrol's ranking at +6%. Germany trails, only ahead of Finland and Sweden, at 84% of 2019 levels. Nordic countries face issues due to Russian airspace closures, whereas Germany's decline is due to national factors, including doubled governmental taxes and charges since 2019. From January 1 to December 1, 2024, nearly 10 million aircraft movements were recorded in European airspace, a 99% recovery rate from the same period in 2019. However, Germany is 16 percentage points behind in recovery. Without cost reductions, German airports' growth momentum may continue to decline yearly until 2030. Full recovery to the 2019 passenger volume of just under 250 million is not expected before 2029. For more, visit: www.eurocontrol.int.

🏬 Firenze leads winter sales with 40.1% of shops visited by tourists, followed by Milan (36.3%), Rome (34.4%), and Naples (32.1%). Milan holds the highest foreign tourist receipt average at €182 per purchase. Over half of foreign tourists prefer Italian high fashion brands (55.6%). According to Giulio Felloni, President of Federazione Moda Italia-Confcommercio, 60% of shops report sales in line or better than 2024, with a strong start and sustained interest, partly due to the reduced tax-free threshold from €155 to €70.

🏨 Expedia TAAP introduces special discounts for travel agents, starting at 25% off hotels, available until January 26, 2025, for travel up to September 14, 2025. This limited-time offer applies to thousands of hotels worldwide. Expedia TAAP, collaborating with over 140,000 advisors, boasts an inventory of over 3 million properties, 220,000 activities, 120 car rental companies, and 500 airlines, supported by tools like virtual operators, data retrieval, booking modifications, and live chat.

💰 Vittorio Messina, president of Confesercenti Sicilia and Assoturismo, reported that Sicily saw a 20% dip in tourist flow during the holiday season compared to 2023-2024, with some cities like Agrigento experiencing up to a 25% decline. Nevertheless, Palermo and Catania recorded a positive 5% increase in arrivals. Italian, French, and German tourist numbers fell by 3%, while Spanish and American visitors increased. Sicilian airports were fully booked, thanks to government flight discounts over the holidays. Final numbers are expected by the end of January.

✈ In 2025, airline ticket prices are forecasted to increase by 10-15%, with engine maintenance and inspections potentially rising up to 30%. The rise is attributed to the utilization of older aircraft by airlines like Delta Airlines, Air Canada, and Qatar Airways due to new aircraft delivery delays from Boeing and Airbus. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is set to hike fees by 37% over three years, adding approximately €15 per passenger. Despite the post-pandemic recovery and sound financials of airlines, passengers are likely to bear some cost increases.

🛫 In 2024, Puglia's airports—Bari, Brindisi, and Foggia—surpassed 10 million passengers for the first time, reaching 10.7 million, a double-digit increase from 2023. The Bari Karol Wojtyla airport led with 7.2 million passengers, a 12.4% rise, compared to Brindisi's 6.7% increase. This milestone highlights Puglia's tourist appeal and strategic importance in Southern Italy, attributed to infrastructure investments, diversified routes, and enhanced services, as stated by Antonio Maria Vasile, President of Aeroporti di Puglia.

💵 Renfe, the Spanish rail carrier, cut refunds for 15 to 30-minute delays since July 1, aiming to save 22 million euros by replicating Ouigo and Iryo's model. In 2024, Renfe plans to allocate 20 million euros compared to the 41 million dispersed in 2023. The change is due to competitiveness and loss mitigation in the public transport and high-speed sectors.

🚀 Cathay Pacific flight left Hong Kong on January 1, 2025, and uniquely landed in Los Angeles on December 31, 2024. Departed at 00:21 local time, arrived after a 12-hour flight at 20:33 the previous day, due to crossing the International Date Line.

📍 Franco Cuccureddu, Regional Tourism Councilor of Sardinia, announced a plan to boost tourism growth through off-season promotion. The plan includes a specific call for the widespread hotel model, a vast fair schedule with 29 events, collaboration with Enit, and a lineup of major events, aiming to make Sardinia a year-round tourist destination. Funding will be allocated to encourage the development of widespread hotels and to recover areas at risk of degradation.

🛫 President of Confcommercio, Carlo Sangalli, raises concerns over high flight prices to Sicily during the Easter period and spring holidays. Reports indicate that ticket prices have reached alarming levels, impacting regular travel and the tourism sector. Sangalli requests the application of constitutional principles to address disadvantages caused by the island's geographical position, emphasizing the importance of efficient transport connections for business competitiveness and quality of life.