Willie Walsh’s prediction of the end of the era of cheap flights appears to be coming to pass with the news that his own airline has raised its fuel surcharges. Short-haul flight charges are up £3; long-haul £15; and flights over nine hours by £30. However, Ryanair seems determined to defy economic pressures – it’s just announced its selling 500,000 seats for just £10 inclusive of taxes and charges. It’ll be interesting to see how long it will take for the budget airline to buckle.