The first ever non-stop scheduled air service between New York and Belfast touched down today.
Continental Airlines' new daily service was given a ministerial welcome at Belfast International Airport by Northern Ireland Enterprise Minister Angela Smith, who greeted the first passengers and saw off the first leaving on the return flight to Newark Airport in New Jersey.
The service will operate seven days a week during the summer months and four days a week in winter.
Tourism chiefs see the new route as crucial to the development of their strategy to draw more American visitors to the province.
Tourism Ireland is mounting a drive to encourage Americans with strong family ties to head across the Atlantic to visit their ancestral homeland.
Mr Alan Clarke, chief executive of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, said the impact of direct access to Northern Ireland for American tourists could not be overestimated.
He said those from North America "tend to stay longer and spend more" than others.
Mr Clarke added: "Last year US visitor numbers increased by one fifth to 100,000 and by 2007 we aim to increase that to 145,000. "Direct access from New York will certainly help us achieve this ambitious target."
Ms Smith said the new route was a very significant development and "tremendous news for business travellers and tourists alike." She said it was also "a wonderful expression of confidence in the future of Northern Ireland".