Ryanair topples BA

Ryanair is not missing the chance to gloat as passenger figures for August show the low-cost airline carried more people than British Airways.

The statistics for August published by both Ryanair and BA show that Ryanair carried 156,000 more passengers than BA's entire network figure.

BA faced countless problems last month as baggage handlers walked out in support of Gate Gourmet catering staff, leaving thousands of people stranded on its network.

Outspoken boss of Ryanair, Michael O'Leary, pictured, said that BA only had itself to blame as it increases fuel surcharges, and suffers from poor punctuality and bad service.

“BA keep turning passengers away with fuel surcharge after fuel surcharge, high fares, poor punctuality, flight cancellations and no catering,” he said.

“At least on Ryanair, customers can buy a sandwich with the £100 they have saved over BA's high fares.”

A BA spokesperson hit back claiming the airline was much larger than Ryanair if measured in terms of revenues per kilometre.