While many airlines are looking to cut some of their less profitable routes in response to escalating fuel prices, the Air Transport Users Council (ATUC) has suggested that it is unclear whether costs will be carried onto consumers.
Along with British Airways grounding flights, American Airlines has announced that it will now charge passengers to check in any luggage they are carrying to meet the costs of fuel.
James Fremantle, industry affairs manager for the ATUC, said: "The extra costs may mean that airlines have to fill their aircraft and it could go either way – they could cut fares to fill aircraft or increase fares to recoup their costs."
He added that this was a disappointing time for consumers, who had previously benefited from an increased choice of affordable holiday destinations as airline competition drove down prices.
Unaffordable fuel costs mean that the aviation industry could have to cut more of these flights in the future.
American Airlines is the first airliner in the world to charge passengers for first bag check-in.
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