Low-cost flights' golden age 'over'

23 March 2011 09:53

A former Ryanair chief has warned that the days of low-cost air fares are over

A former Ryanair chief has warned that the days of low-cost air fares are over

The days of low-cost travel could be over, according to a former chief at budget airline Ryanair - and that's before you even factor in the cost of travel insurance.

The Irish carrier's former commercial director Tim Jeans has said the golden age of low-fares air travel is coming to an end, thanks to rising costs of fuel, passenger duty. "Green" initiatives such as the Emissions Trading Scheme also came under fire for eating into profits.

Mr Jeans said: "The only thing that can happen is fares will go up and passengers go down. The vicious circle of decline in our industry will start."

Duty has seen two rises in two years, which has led to a long haul flight taxes increasing by more than half.

This means that Britain now charges the highest flight taxes in the world, with an inevitable knock-on effect for families wishing to travel.

The Europe-wide Emissions Trading Scheme means further costs, with "carbon quotas" being applied to airlines.

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