Aer Lingus is to provide one million seats on its transatlantic routes this year for the first time in its history. The State airline said it is also adding to the number of cheap seats it has available to the US.

The airline's schedule provides extra services in the shoulder periods to Boston and Chicago. Flights from Belfast to New York will also be increased from there to four per week.

Aer Lingus says it will have 120,000 seats available at special low fares to the US this year. Marketing director Mr David Bunworth said the extra capacity "provides a challenge for the company, but also a significant opportunity for additional tourist revenues".

Aer Lingus said that due to the success of its Newark service, first introduced on a summer-only basis last year, it has introduced a year-round service from Dublin and Shannon to the New Jersey city. It will begin in March.

Sale fares to New York and Boston start at £319, to Chicago from £329 and west coast destinations start at £449.

The fares apply to more than 50 destinations throughout the US. It is available for bookings made and ticketed before the end of February.