The recipes of the Government against the dear flights and the expensive gasoline? A boomerang. Two weeks after the mandatory display of average pump prices went into effect, petrol and diesel prices have risen. In all of this, the Meloni government decree on expensive flights continues to be discussed, which will limit airfares from Sicily and Sardinia and to the two islands. So much so that the airlines have appealed to the European Commission: “We are deeply concerned. With the Italian decree there is a risk of an avalanche effect ”. This is what the letter from the European trade association Airlines for Europe states, as reported by the Financial Times.
On the other hand, already Ryanair had used harsh words in commenting on the Italian decree: "ridiculous" and "Soviet" or worthy of "Harry Potter". The fact is that, although Italy responded in no uncertain terms to the Irish low-cost, the Commission itself had immediately raised the level of attention on the dossier, revealing a certain skepticism about it. But let's go in order.
Gasoline and diesel on the rise: Meloni government signs a flop
In August, i fuel prices at the gas pump are up for 16 consecutive days. Like every year, the price adjustments at the distributor accompany the Italians on their holidays. But compared to 2022, when there was a cut in excise duties, prices are definitely too high. Based on data provided by Mimit, fuel prices on the motorway are up by about 4 cents for petrol and 7 for diesel. And it didn't help the obligation to display the average price, as the trade unions have also denounced, opposed to the measure introduced by the Made in Italy business minister, Adolfo Urso, from the outset. Surely the measure allows you to choose where to get supplies, in transparency and awareness but does not control prices. Price increases that empty the pockets of Italians but increase those of the state. According to Assoutenti - between excise duties and VAT - the State would collect over 2 billion euros.
To throw fuel on the fire - it is appropriate to say - the response from Minister Urso. “The industrial price of petrol excise-free is lower than in other European countries such as France, Spain and Germany”. And he added: “What some politicians claim that the price of petrol and diesel is out of control is false, in fact the opposite is true: Italy has done better than other European countries”. A move that has sparked a shower of criticism, given that Italians continue to pay for fuel with excise duties and not without them.
Airlines against the Meloni decree on expensive flights
The controversy over the decree on the cost of flights continues. The airline companies they sharpen their weapons and address themselves directly to the European Commission. They are concerned that the new regulations passed in the last CDM could "set a precedent and lead to a domino effect". In their view, limiting fares "would violate the rights of companies to compete where possible, set prices and define services as they see fit". Brussels confirmed receipt of the letter ("we are examining it") and reiterated the position already expressed on the decree: "The Commission services have contacted the Italian authorities and expect to receive more detailed information on the content of the measure in question" a spokesman for the EU executive said. “The Commission supports measures aimed at promoting connectivity at affordable prices, as long as they are in line with EU internal market rules”.
In the end, the recent measures launched by the Meloni government are proving to be a hole in the water. As well as the tax on the extra profits of the banks, where the Treasury has already corrected the shot, and which will fall right on those you wanted to help: Italians.
