The American Airlines crash in New York will have a disastrous effect on the airline industry whether it was caused by a terrorist attack or not, aviation experts said today.

Fares will rise, some operators could go out of business and air travel will never be the same again following the American terrorist atrocities, a UK aviation expert said today.

In the blood-stained history of terrorism there has never been a day as horrifying as September 11, 2001.