Travel industry analysts are claiming that the collapse of airlines and tour companies in the last couple of years is good news for the package holiday. Uncertainty within the travel industry, especially after the disruption caused by the Eyjafjallajokull volcano earlier in the year and the ongoing industrial action at British Airways, is causing many to look for the most secure option when booking their holiday.

By choosing a package holiday, customers know that whatever happens while they are away, the hotel has been paid for and there is a guaranteed seat on a flight home. The Association of British Travel Agents added that all-inclusive trips mean that currency exchange was not necessary at a time when the pound is still performing badly against the euro.

Spokesman for Abta, Sean Tipton, said that even though airlines are claiming that they will reimburse customers who find themselves stranded, the hassle of having to sort out arrangements themselves, and then go through a long process of claiming reimbursement, is making the package model once again attractive to those wanting guaranteed security.

UK airport owner BAA claims that the number of charter flights this year has risen by 5.3 per cent, despite recent disruption. Compared with the same time last year, an additional 10,000 passengers stepped aboard charter planes in the first three months of the year at Edinburgh and Glasgow Airports according to the Civil Aviation Authority.

Policy director at RDC Aviation, Iain Smith, said that there were definite signs that Glasgow Airport was returning to its tradition of providing charter flights. He pointed out however that this meant that an attempt to grow the number of scheduled flights at that airport my have stumbled.