Continental Airlines says it is 80 per cent booked out on its new Newark to Shannon and Dublin services this summer a remarkable achievement for a new route. Aer Lingus and Delta are also heavily booked, indicating a bumper tourist season from North America.

Aer Lingus says it is keeping a wary eye on Continental, which is pitching heavily for business travellers, but so far there is enough to go around for everybody. Certainly, there is no great competition on price with the business class fares on both airlines about £2,300 DublinNewark return.

Ironically, David Bonderman, Ryanair's chairman, is also a major investor and decision maker in Continental. Which makes him one of Aer Lingus' main competitors on just about all its routes.