Ryanair has threatened to cut the number of flights it operates out of Shannon Airport unless a 33pc rise in passenger charges confirmed yesterday is reversed.

The decision to increase the charges comes even as the number of passengers using the airport has declined considerably.

But Shannon Airport director Martin Moroney  said  that the increase, which would add €1.58 to bring a single-trip passenger fee to €6.30, was the first in six years at the airport and that the charges remained in line with other airports.

Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary strongly criticised the charge, saying it would serve to decrease Shannon's attractiveness to airlines at a time when its passenger numbers were falling.