The problem with fuel is that it is a finite resource and we are rapidly reaching the point where demand (led from China and India) will exceed the oil industries ability to pull it out of the ground quickly enough. The reason OPEC isn't increasing their production to help George Bush out is simply that they are sucking oil out of the ground as fast as they can.
What's the future? Well in the next 12 months oil at $200 a barrel and a growing number of parked aircraft behind the Tower. In the next 5 years, a growing trend to aviation carriers moving into the business only model (they will be the only people able to pay the new fares) and a slow disappearance of low-cost carriers.
After that? Who knows. We need a breakthrough in alternative energy. At the moment I don't see a substitute for oil to power aircraft. That's not to say there won't be one. Just, I don't see it yet. Kind of puts pay demands into perspective doesn't it?
On the beach