Budget airline Ryanair said its total passenger numbers last month soared by 55 per cent against the same period last year.

The Irish carrier hosted 1.25 million passengers in January, compared to just under 808,000 the year before.

On Tuesday, the Dublin-based group announced record-breaking figures for the third quarter of last year.

Passenger numbers went up by 46 per cent to 3.9 million in the three months to December 31, while revenues increased by 37 per cent and operating costs fell by 28 per cent.

Ryanair is stepping up expansion in Europe and has struck a deal to buy rival Buzz from Dutch carrier KLM.

The airline has also confirmed purchase of 100 Boeing 737-800 jets.