RYANAIR has backed the decision by the UK Competition Appeal Tribunal that the sale of Stansted Airport can go ahead after years of appeals by BAA.

While BAA delayed the sale of the airport it has doubled passenger charges and presided over record traffic declines from 24m in 2007 to 18m in 2011.

Ryanair spokesman Stephen McNamara said: “These repeated delays in the sale of Stansted must now end. BAA has used every legal tactic to delay this sale for four years since it was first recommended by the Competition Commission in 2008.

“Ferrovial and the other owners of Stansted are unfairly enriching themselves at the expense of UK passengers/visitors who are suffering higher charges and third-rate service at Stansted while the CAA’s “inadequate” regulatory regime does nothing to protect airport users.”