Some would argue that he probably does, given the shortcomings of the security services in so many cases in the past. But while we can all be cynical about the current level of threat, O'Leary's ultimatum to the British government, telling them to restore security arrangements to normal or risk being sued for financial losses because of the disruption to his business, is utter nonsense.

Ryanair and all the cut-price airlines are spooked completely by the new security procedures because they undermine the very basis of their business . . .which is working on a skeleton staff and expecting the customer to do all the donkey work.

They want people to bring as much luggage on board as possible so that they can employ fewer people at check-in as well as fewer baggage handlers.

O'Leary likes it when passengers can get on and off his planes quicker than everyone else's so that he can turn them around faster than the competition.

Michael O'Leary's cheeky and abrasive way of doing business has won him a lot of admirers because of the way he has revolutionised and demystified airline travel.

But he may find that this challenge to security measures . . . designed to prevent a terrorist attack . . . will win him few friends. Air travellers are willing to accept rigorous checks and long delays because they do not want to compromise their own safety.

Clearly, if these security measures are to be the "new normal", the British airport authorities must act to reduce the current level of chaos. But at the same time, O'Leary cannot simply disengage from these new security arrangements by issuing threats.

Ryanair . . . and all airlines . . . must accept responsibility for the part they too must play in this less than brave new world.