Knock airport will operate services to New York and Boston from May, it was revealed today.
The new services will be operated by UK carrier Flyglobespan, and the routes will be from Liverpool to New York via Knock and Glasgow to Boston via Knock.
Sean Hannick, chairman of Council for the West
Minister for Transport Martin Cullen, who approved the granting of traffic rights for the service, said the move was a "positive development" for the area.
"This presents a great opportunity to grow tourism and exploit business opportunities for the benefit of the BMW [Border, Midland, Western] region," Mr Cullen said.
The services are scheduled to start in May 2007, subject to the finalisation of security arrangements at Knock airport, and authorisation is to be granted to the airline for an initial period of 12 months.
Tourism Ireland Chief Executive Paul O'Toole said the new services represented "a huge vote of confidence" in the region.
"They will substantially expand air travel options for potential tourists and open up Ireland's western regions even more as a holiday destination to the lucrative North American market," he added.
Council for the West chairman Sean Hannick said the transatlantic services were a "dream come true" for the late Monsignor James Horan, founder of Knock airport.
"With a potential to facilitate 56,000 US tourists with an estimated spend of up to €45 million by 2008, the service will be a major plus for tourism in the region which can do with all the assistance it can get," said Mr Hannick.