Record number of trips to Rome for the Pope's funeral: nearly 100% occupancy, skyrocketing hotel prices...

Travel agencies affiliated with the Fetave association predict a record number of travelers to Rome this week , where hotels are close to 100% occupancy and prices have skyrocketed.

In a statement released Thursday, the association emphasizes that airlines have strengthened their service offerings but warns that the congestion at Rome's Fiumicino Airport is making it difficult to expand flights and replace aircraft with larger ones.

Hotel prices throughout Rome "have skyrocketed," even though they were already high due to the Jubilee Year celebrations, he adds.

Iberia announced this Wednesday that it will increase the number of flights to Rome this weekend and increase aircraft capacity to serve people who want to travel to the Roman capital for the death of Pope Francis.