Aer Lingus will begin selling flights next week for its new services to Washington DC, Orlando and San Francisco following the decision by European Union transport ministers in Brussels yesterday to back an Open Skies deal with the United States.

Northwest Airlines, meanwhile, is believed to be in detailed negotiations with the Dublin Airport Authority about launching a direct route from Detroit city in Michigan to Dublin from next spring, after the Shannon stopover has been abolished fully.

Detroit is a major hub for Northwest, which is based in Minneapolis-St Paul, and this would allow passengers to connect with services to other US cities. The city is situated between New York and Chicago.

Aer Lingus said it will offer flights to Washington DC from €199 each way, including taxes and charges. Fares to Orlando will begin at €219 each way while those flying to San Francisco will pay €239 each way.

The airline will launch its four-times-a-week service to Dulles Airport in Washington DC from September 3rd. In October, the airline will begin flying three times a week to Orlando and four times a week to San Francisco.

"We hope to generate good load factors of 80-81 per cent on these flights," said Enda Corneille, Aer Lingus's commercial director.

US carriers are expected to wait until the Shannon stopover is abolished fully on April 1st, 2008 before launching new services to Ireland.