Is the low-cost air travel boom really over yet?

Not if you're prepared to fly off-peak and out of season.

The low-cost revolution for flights have been a huge boon to us all. Like him or loathe him, Michael O'Leary's Ryanair has allowed millions of us to
explore Europe, while easyJet's Stelios has become one of the sainted figure of British life.

But after the liquid bombs plot - thankfully thwarted - airport security across the UK is still causing major headaches for the low-cost traveller who once bundled a few light bags into the overhead locker and headed off to Spain, Italy or France.

"There's been a dramatic change and it remains to be seen how cheap travel will pan out," says peopleschampion.com director Kenny Kemp, co-author with Barbara Cassani, of Go: An Airline Adventure, which examined the low-cost phenomenon. "But the low-cost airlines have been resilient up until now."

"Just a few weeks ago, during the height of summer, the budget airlines were booming. EasyJet's business was on track to announce profits up 40-50 per cent on the previous year, with each flight about 90 per cent full. Ryanair too was celebrating massive revenue boosts with an 80 per cent rise in
profits with the average flight around 84 per cent full," explains Kenny.

Now costs will certainly rise for airlines. Delays, cancellations and increased security checks have already cost them millions and if increased security is to be maintained this will obviously cut deeper into profits.

"If you can't have your hand luggage in the cabin then airlines have to fork out more for baggage handlers," says Kenny.

If security is to increase then airports are forced to employ more staff - so landing fees go up. Add to this the fact that more people are reluctant to book flights - and recent events in Turkey also add to this - then more money disappears from the budget airlines' coffers.

The consumer is going to feel the pinch. So is this the end of the budget airline boom that millions have enjoyed?

"I don't think so. But the longer the heightened security measures go on, the more the airlines will be hit, which unfortunately is likely to have a knock-on effect for the consumer," adds Kenny.

And on the horizon is the environmental issue - should the traveller be charged extra for all the carbon emission caused by low-cost jet travel? That's another question now being considered.

So, across the board, airlines look set to increase their prices, however it remains to be seen whether each raises their prices in proportion to their competition. Ryanair's combative boss, Michael O'Leary isn't likely to raise prices if he can help it.

There's still one way to be sure you're getting the best deal. That is by using the airline websites to compare and contrast. "I think there are still be fantastic deals to pick up -- both BMI and British Airways are also very competitive on short-haul routes - but the traveller will have to be more discerning and fly off-peak -- and out of season. So take a sunny break in November if you really want to save yourself a few extra quid," says Kenny.

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