According to reports, Ryanair issued an ultimatum last week, stating that unless passenger searches were returned to their pre-alert level, and hand luggage restrictions were loosened, it would launch legal action against the UK authorities.

Speaking to the BBC, Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary suggested that the chaos resulting from the terror alert had cost the airline in the region of a "couple of million euros".

“If the security procedures are returned to normal within another seven days, then Ryanair will not make any claim against the government,” he reportedly went on to add.

However, the government has stated that a return to pre-alert levels of airport security is unlikely in the near future, and Ryanair has been slammed by some for its actions.

Conservative MP, Lee Scott from the Transport Select Committee told the Irish Examiner that:

"It's saying to the British Airport Authorities and indeed to the government that they must get this right in a week. The only thing that must be put right is passenger safety, which is paramount."

The proposed legal action has also been dismissed as a hollow threat by some in the UK legal community.