Shannon Airport numbers expected to fall by more than a third

Shannon Airport's passenger numbers could fall to just two million next year - a fall of more than 37% on 2008 figures.

It follows confirmation by Ryanair that the airline is to reduce the number of aircraft based there from four to one.

Ryanair says the airport wanted to charge too much per passenger when compared with other European designations.

Director of Shannon Airport Authority Martin Moroney says Ryanair were asking to land at Shannon almost for free - meaning a deal could not be done.

"This year we'll have about 2.7 million passengers" he said.

"Although we're down 8% this year, other airports in Europe are down 15 to 20% - next year will be a bigger blow if the Ryanair reduction is as they predict".

"So we could be looking at two million passengers."