New air routes could lift tourist numbers

The number of people travelling between the Chinese mainland and Ireland could increase by as much as 300 percent once the countries are linked by regular direct flights in June.

Hainan Airlines will begin flying between Beijing and Dublin on June 12.

Vincent Harrison, managing director of Dublin Airport, said: "Once a long-haul service is in place, there will be two times the volume of passenger growth, and sometimes it could be three times depending on the market."