Cheap flights 'opening up Italy'
14 August 2007
Cheap flights are playing a significant role in attracting investors to southern Italy, according to The Global Property Group.
Budget airlines, such as Ryanair who launched direct flights from Stanstead to Lamezia on February 18th this year, are offering returns for around £50, director Mike Dunkerley said, where as previous flights to the area cost up to £400.
People are now able to visit southern Italy without either "busting the bank" or cutting themselves off from friends and family, he said.
Improving access is thought to have been a "tremendously important factor" in boosting the property market in southern Italy.
"Ryanair have done for this region what the budget airlines have done for easy access to Spain," Mr Dunkerley said.
Last month, Knight Frank claimed that investors in the Italian property market were moving away from the idea of restoring property in the countryside to a preference for the security and accessibility of buying into apartments in many of the towns.