The open skies aviation pact between the EU and the United States will maximise the opportunities for Irish carriers, Minister for Transport Martin Cullen said today.
Welcoming the unanimous approval of the deal by EU transport ministers in Brussels today, Mr Cullen said: "The agreement will liberate Irish and other European carriers to inaugurate new services potentially to any city in the US over time.
"From an economic viewpoint, this substantial move in transatlantic terms will be extremely beneficial for business - helping to grow and sustain jobs and tourism in the country".
Mr Cullen said he was committed to increasing air links to Ireland and the open skies pact offers new opportunities for airports at Dublin, Shannon and Cork, and for Aer Lingus.
Aer Lingus - which currently serves four US cities - Los Angeles, New York, Boston and Chicago - is set announce the immediate addition of three new routes to San Francisco, Orlando and Washington (Dulles) tomorrow.
Mr Cullen said current restrictions on flights in and out of Ireland, including the Shannon stopover, will now be phased out.
Aer Lingus will have access to the entire American market once the agreement comes into effect fully next year.
Fine Gael's transport spokeswoman Olivia Mitchell said the Government and aviation industry must move immediately to maximise Irish opportunities in the new liberalised marketplace.
She said the deal offered massive potential for Irish airports to establish themselves as hubs for the US and Europe.
The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) said the deal could herald an additional one million US visitors to Ireland annually over the next seven years, representing an increase in revenue of €1 billion to the Irish economy.
IHF president Annette Devine said: "Ratification of the agreement will have tremendous benefits all round for Irish tourism. The agreement will open the way for a substantial increase in direct air routes between the US and Ireland, making it easier for American visitors to get here."