A significant share of the Irish holiday market is being taken by tour operators Airtours in its first year of selling a selection of overseas holidays, flying direct from Dublin.

Although details of Irish sales of packaged overseas holidays are not being disclosed by Airtours, bookings for this summer account for nearly three per cent of the group's sales in the UK and Ireland.

Third quarter financial results show a strong £24.5 million sterling (€39.6 million) increase in operating profit, before e-commerce costs, exceptional items and goodwill, to £26.6 million sterling. Operating losses for the nine-month period to June 30th were reduced from £68.6 million to £50.8 million.