RYANAIR has stressed it is business as usual at Bournemouth Airport despite plans to selectively cut part of the airline's winter schedule.

The Dublin-based airline said it is too early to say which airports and routes will be affected by the cuts, prompted by a fall in profits.

Increased competition and Europe's continued economic problems are being blamed for having a negative impact on the amount of money the airline makes per passenger.

It has announced there will be a reduction in its winter season capacity and also reduced fares and “aggressive” seat promotions.

In July the low-cost operator announced it would operate a winter schedule from Bournemouth for the first time in three years due to huge demand in the local area.

It is currently offering six services to Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Malaga, Alicante and Girona.

Overall Ryanair intends to cut its annual traffic by half a million passengers in a bid to boost profits.

Chief Executive Michael O'Leary said: “We are going to respond to this by being out there first and being aggressive in fare response.”