The Transport Minister has urged the US authorities to put consumers first and clear the first Cork to US flights for take-off.

There is overwhelming public support for Norwegian Airlines’ plans to launch low-cost transatlantic flights from Cork Airport.

The world’s airlines will collectively lose more than £1bn (€1.3bn) this year because of rocketing fuel prices, experts forecast today.

The sharp increase in oil prices may cost the world’s airlines billions of pounds in losses this year and further damage the industry’s recovery after a series of setbacks, the head of the global air transport association said today.