Fuel Price Hike Leads to Record Low Airfares for Long-Haul Flights from Italy
Rome, April 11, 2026 – While the Middle East crisis and uncertainty surrounding fuel prices continue to rattle markets, the tourism sector is experiencing an unexpected phenomenon. According to the latest monitoring by Assoutenti, those willing to brave the climate of tension can take advantage of unprecedentedly low airfares for long-haul destinations. Planning a trip for May or June 2026, it’s possible to fly from Rome to the Maldives or Seychelles for just 250 euros.
Fuel Price Hike Causes Flight Prices to Plummet
The collapse in prices is the response of airline algorithms to a drop in demand. With tourists preferring national or perceived ‘safer’ destinations, planes are flying empty, forcing carriers – particularly those in the Gulf – to launch aggressive discounts to avoid operating at a loss.
Routes That Are Now Cheaper
Assoutenti’s analysis reveals the ‘other side of the coin’ of this challenging 2026. International carriers are trying to entice travelers with fares that, in some cases, are lower than a domestic flight to Sicily or Sardinia booked during the last Easter holidays.
Here are some of the most advantageous one-way fares monitored for May and June:
- Asia: Thailand for 290 euros, Hong Kong for 278 euros, Malaysia for 286 euros, and Japan for approximately 370 euros.
- Red Sea: Flights to Sharm el-Sheikh from Milan, Rome, and Naples starting from 38 euros; Marsa Alam from 41 euros.
- Americas: United States (with a layover) from 222 euros and Mexico from 330 euros.
- Africa: South Africa for 264 euros and Kenya for 219 euros (for flights with long layovers).
Significant drops compared to early March quotations are also being recorded for August.
A Milan-Maldives flight for the central week of August has dropped from 1,470 euros to 1,056 euros (-28%), while for Cape Verde, the reduction is 23%.
The Risk of Price Hikes for Greece and Spain
While long-haul travel becomes accessible, the situation changes dramatically for short-haul destinations. Gabriele Melluso, president of Assoutenti, issues a warning for those planning classic Mediterranean holidays.
“The concrete risk is that in the coming weeks, due to increases in jet fuel (aviation kerosene), fares for closer destinations like Greece or Spain will experience a sharp rise,” explains Melluso.
The doubling of aircraft refueling costs in just one month, caused by bottlenecks in the Strait of Hormuz, will particularly affect short-haul flights where margins are smaller. Airlines, to offset losses and less profitable routes, may pass on fuel costs to tickets for European beach resorts, making summer 2026 paradoxically cheaper for those traveling to Vietnam than for those choosing the Greek islands.
Source: virgilio.it
