Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary admits the airline would have ditched its cold and inflexible approach years ago if they had realised the positive spin-offs.

Air travel in and out of Ireland increased significantly last year, with Dublin Airport reporting a growth higher than the European average.

Ryanair has pledged to give away all seats on its 12 routes to airports in Germany on a nominated day if Ireland beat the Germans in the World Cup next month.

Low-cost airline Ryanair has stepped up its price war with Lufthansa.