Ryanair celebrates 20 years in business with record passenger figures

Ryanair passed the 35m passenger landmark at Dublin airport this month since flights began 20 years ago.

The low fares carrier also confirmed that record passenger numbers have been achieved in Italy (12m), Scotland (8m) and France (7m).

Head of Communications at Ryanair, Paul Fitzsimmons said: "This month we have reached new landmark records throughout Europe. Brussels Charleroi airport has welcomed its 4.5m passenger while City of Derry airport has passed the 600,000 passengers milestone."

Ryanair carried over 1.7m on almost 15,000 scheduled flights in February alone, the company claimed today.

The company is currently appealing a European Court ruling that its received illegal subsidies to operate its Brussels Charleroi service.