The No-frills airlines

In contrast with the charter airlines, which existed long before deregulation, the airlines dealt with in this section came into being at the same time or shortly before. As their slang title suggests, they are based on a very convenient price/service relationship, making savings on the second of those factors. These airline companies target that section of individual travellers who, if travelling with other companies, would go for Economy Class at the lowest prices …

…mean bigger, busier airports, which in turn means more noise and growing problems with air quality for those who live and work close to airports. "Lower prices have raised people's expectations - we now all want to fly abroad for a short break, and do so several times a year. But the government is doing nothing to inform people of the environmental impact of flying," says Mr Bishop, of the Institute of Public Policy Research.