After closely analysing the performance of the low-cost carriers, an industry expert has said in a statement made to the BBC that most of them are guilty of practices that prove to be environmentally irresponsible.
According to Howard Wheeldon, senior strategist at BGC Partners, most special offers to bust-fare are in turn contributing to the proliferation of superfluous flights, which further add to CO2 emissions.
He has clearly urged that the no-frills airlines certainly need to dramatically increase their fares in order to hold back from frivolous flying. Though the advice seems to make sense, it appears that not everyone in the industry has agreed with his above said assessment.
On the other hand, Ryanair's chief executive Michael O'Leary has stated clearly that free market principles should be upheld at any cost, and insisted that his carrier would strive hard to keep prices low "even if it means short-term losses".
Commenting on the stand maintained by O'Leary, Wheeldon said that this attitude needs to be labelled as a one of short-sighted nature, while accusing O'Leary of opportunism for trying to treat the present difficulties in the market as "an opportunity ⦠to gain".
He further added, "As more and more smaller airlines go bust, it (Ryanair) must accept that as long as the price of oil remains at anywhere near the current levels that absolutely no one will gain."
Notably, Ryanair has recently grounded about 20 of its planes since the profitability is certainly on the low-run. This move by the airline also echoed similar such moves by several other UK airlines.
