Regional newspaper Il Sassarese Medio reports that, despite the reopening of sales on 20 October 2026, ITA Airways has yet to restore discounted ‘territorial continuity’ fares for the Sardinia–Milan Linate air bridge on its website. The route, vital for residents who need affordable access to mainland Italy, was extended until 31 January 2027 after a regional tender failed to attract new operators. Under the continuity scheme Sardinian residents, workers and students are entitled to capped one-way fares of €46–€57 depending on seasonality. However, tests carried out by local officials showed round-trip prices above €260 with no discount option. The carrier says tickets can currently be purchased only via travel agencies or the call-centre while “technical updates” are implemented; online functionality should be restored “in the next few days”. Business travellers who rely on last-minute digital booking – especially consultants commuting between northern Italy and Sassari’s industrial cluster – must therefore use alternative channels or risk paying full market rates. Travel-management companies warn that failure to display subsidised fares in global distribution systems could breach Italy’s public-service-obligation (PSO) contract terms and expose the airline to penalties. The regional government has asked ITA Airways for an urgent update and is exploring a temporary waiver that would allow passengers who buy standard fares this week to claim a refund once the system is fixed. Observers see the glitch as a test case for the digital readiness of Italy’s PSO framework, which will cover three Sardinian routes in the upcoming tender cycle.
Source: Il Sassarese Medio
