FROM NEXT MAY, you’ll be able to fly from Cork directly to the east coast of the United States with more flights coming on board the year after.

Norwegian Air say they’ll be flying from Cork to Boston four times a week from May 2016 with a Cork-New York route also planned for 2017.

It’s the first time transatlantic flights will leave from Cork for over 50 years with the airport describing the announcement as “major strategic boost” for the region.

Norwegian says that the new services will be “low-cost” and will be catered by newly purchased aircraft.

The airline already operates transatlantic routes from Gatwick in the UK to five different US cities and says that prices for these flights begin at €202.

“We are delighted to offer a long-awaited service from the US to Cork and the southern parts of Ireland which will create huge business, leisure and tourism opportunities,” Norwegian CEO Bjorn Kjos said afternoon .

Cork Airport had earlier refused to comment on speculation on the routes from today’s Examiner but has also now welcomed the routes.

“The addition of direct year-round connectivity to North America has long been a target for Cork Airport,” according to Cork Airport Managing Director Niall MacCarthy.

“This is great news for both Cork Airport and the region and is a major strategic boost for both business and tourism.”

In addition to the planned flights to the US, Norwegian also says that it will be flying out of Cork-Barcelona route that will also go four times a week from May 2016.

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