The low-cost airline, Ryanair, circulated copies of the British aviation magazine Airline Business yesterday as part of its campaign to secure cheaper landing charges from the Irish airports authority, Aer Rianta.

A survey published in the magazine concludes that Aer Rianta is the ninth most profitable airport authority in the world. It estimates the company has annual net profits of $64 million (£42 million) and a turnover of $374 million. It ranks Aer Rianta at 81 in terms of passenger numbers.

According to the survey, the British Airports Authority is the most profitable in the world with net profits of $624 million a year.

The chief executive of Ryanair Mr Michael O'Leary said the survey showed there was no requirement for Aer Rianta to increase charges on Irish airlines next year when duty free was abolished. "Why should the Aer Rianta monopoly - now the ninth most profitable airport operator in the world - be preserved," said Mr O'Leary.

A spokesman for Aer Rianta said the company was profitable because it was a "very successful retailer" and not because of its airline charges.