EUROPE'S largest low fares airline Ryanair has welcomed the decision to refer airports operator BAA to the Competition Commission.

BAA operates Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Southampton airports.

Its referral by the Office of Fair Trading to the Competition Commission is "good news for consumers", believes Ryanair, which flies from Bournemouth Airport.

Ryanair is calling for the breakup of BAA to allow greater competition, improved services and lower airport costs.

Ryanair head of communications Peter Sherrard said: "Ryanair has long called on the CAA to take action to end monopoly abuse by the BAA.

"Heathrow is a mess; passengers continue to be stuck in long security queues at Stansted and Gatwick's development is being held back by this overcharging monopoly.

"By spinning out Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted into separately owned companies, which are then forced to compete against each other, improved terminal facilities and lower cost terminal and car parking charges will evolve in much the same way that competition between the airlines - led by Ryanair - has lowered air fares and delivered enormous growth at the UK airports.

"Regulation by the CAA has clearly failed. It's time to allow competition between the London airports to deliver better facilities and lower costs for British passengers and British business."