Ryanair calls for DAA breakup in wake of Gatwick sale

Ryanair has called for the breakup of the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) following the sale of Gatwick Airport by the British Airport Authority (BAA).

"The sale of Gatwick Airport is the first step in the breakup of the high cost BAA airport monopoly," the company said in a statement, referring to a UK Competition Commission investigation which found that the BAA monopoly had "stifled competition" and "damaged consumer interest".

The low-fares airline reiterated its call for the DAA to be broken up with Cork and Shannon airports being sold off and a competing low-cost terminal built at Dublin Airport.

"Ryanair believes that competition is the only way to reverse the damage being done to Irish traffic and tourism by the high-cost DAA monopoly," the statement said.

Chief executive Michael O'Leary said the fact that Gatwick Airport is being sold for £1.5bn (€1.65bn) exposes the "extraordinary waste" of the DAA spending €1.2bn developing a second terminal at Dublin Airport amid falling traffic numbers.