Increase in US military traffic in Irish airspace

The Government is allowing as many as three Gulf-bound US aircraft to land at Shannon airport every night.

This represents a significant increase in US military traffic through Irish airspace, according to Sunday newspaper reports.

A civilian air company is operating on behalf of the US military.

One of its jets had been leased to Aer Lingus, but World Airways has not removed the Irish National carrier's colour scheme.

The newspaper says it has already recorded 27 US military aircraft entering Irish airspace.