WOW air, an Icelandic low cost airline, has announced transatlantic flights from Cork Airport, via Reykjavik, to eight cities across the US and Canada.

The Icelandic low cost operator will also start a new Cork to Reykjavik service next year, with onward connections to major US and Canadian cities including New York, Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Miami, Washington DC, Montreal and Toronto, with fares from €149 each way.

WOW air’s one-way air fares to Reykjavik will start at €59.99 each way including taxes and charges.

The new service will start from May 19, 2017, and will operate on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday during the the summer.

Winter will see three flights a week during 2017.

Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland said: "Today’s announcement is good news for tourism to Cork and the South of Ireland. Not only will it help grow visitor numbers from Iceland, but this new service will also offer connectivity between North America and Cork.

"We look forward to co-operating with WOW air, Cork Airport and other tourism partners, to maximise the promotion of this new service from Reykjavik to Cork."

Through the airline’s WOW Stopover package, travellers have the option of enjoying a break in Iceland when flying across the Atlantic to or from any of its European and North American airports.