Ryanair has called for the break-up of the DAA airport monopoly in Ireland as it publishes its 2011 traffic report for the three properties – Shannon, Dublin and Cork.

Figures from Ryanair reveal a fourth consecutive year of traffic declines, down from 22.6 million passengers in 2010 to 22.1 million last year.

Despite the artificially low 2010 comparables, because of volcano ash and snow closures, traffic over the last four years has fallen 21 per cent at Dublin, 34 per cent at Cork and a “shambolic” 56 per cent at Shannon.

Ryanair’s Stephen McNamara said: “Ryanair calls on the government to deliver on its promise of change and reform and break-up the failed DAA monopoly as total traffic at the three DAA monopoly airports fell for a forth consecutive year.

“Overall traffic at the DAA monopoly is down 26 per cent since 2007, with traffic continuing to decline at Cork and Shannon and stagnation at Dublin, which has now plummeted by 21 per cent since 2007.

“If Ireland is to see any economic recovery in 2012 we need competition between Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports,” he added.

Ryanair called for the Irish government to reduce the DAA’s high airport charges so Irish airports can compete on price with their international counterparts.