Low-cost flights are becoming a realistic alternative to rail travel in the UK, a consumer council advises.
The Air Transport Users Council (ATUC) reports that the opening of new airports and increased carrier competition have allowed flight operators to contend with rail services in the domestic travel market.
An increase in train prices has also allowed airlines to compete, said James Fremantle, industry affairs manager of the ATUC.
"The prices have increased on the trains. There is a gap there and [airlines] are exploiting it, creating demand and taking passengers away from trains," he added.
The news follows an ATUC report published in November 2007 indicating that the annual number of air passengers using UK airports exceeded 100 million for the first time in 2006.
In 1990, that figure was around two-thirds less, the study found.
Whatever means of travel is used,
InsureandGo aim to provide competitive
travel insurance cover.