Competition on the transatlantic routes between Ireland and the United States is set to intensify this summer when the American carrier Delta begins direct flights between Dublin and Shannon and New York's JFK Airport.

Delta will operate three direct Dublin-New York and three Shannon-New York flights each week and will be competing directly with Aer Lingus and Continental Airlines who both fly into New York. Aer Lingus serves both JFK and Newark while Continental serves Newark.

The new flights will be operated using Boeing 767 aircraft and will be additional to Delta's existing service between Dublin and Shannon and Atlanta in the south-east US.

Welcoming the new Delta service to new York, the Minister for Public Service, Ms Mary O'Rourke, said: "Delta's decision to expand their Irish operations underpins the growing and continuing confidence in the strength of the Irish economy."