Ryanair cuts flights by fifth

The no-frills carrier said frequency of services would be cut from the end of March, leading to 150 lay-offs and the loss of more than 2,000 support jobs.

Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary warned fares out of Ireland would increase by at least 10 per cent, with no more free seat sales over the next 12 months.

He added that passenger numbers at Dublin had fallen by three million in the last year, blaming the airport fees and the 10 euro (8.69) departing passenger tax unveiled in the Budget for 2009, and predicted the Government would be forced to scrap the levy.

But the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) claimed Ryanair was reducing flights to suit themselves, claiming the airline's own charges had soared in recent years.