Ryanair is to open 8 new routes from Shannon. The airline says the move will support 300 new on site jobs at the and deliver an extra 300,000 passengers.

The routes will go to Berlin, Faro, Fuerteventura, Krakow, Munich, Nice, Paris and Warsaw from April of next year. It means the airline will operate services to 18 locations from Shannon at the end of April 2014.

Ryanair says this announcement is in direct response to the government decision to scrap the €3 travel tax.

The announcement comes 10 months after the airport was announced as an independent entity.

The airline also says it is in discussions with Cork, Dublin, Kerry and Knock airports and hopes to announce further routes in coming weeks.

Shannon Airport has described the announcement as hugely significant in the growth plans of the airport.

The Minister for Finance also welcomed the announcement. "I would like to thank Ryanair for their prompt and positive response to Budget 2014 and I look forward to announcement by Ryanair of extra routes and passengers across Ireland in the coming weeks" Michael Noonan said.

"The decision to reduce the Air Travel Tax to €0 and the retention of the VAT rate for the tourism sector at 9%, coupled with the highest quality of service and scenery unique to Ireland, will ensure that Ireland remains an attractive and competitive destination for tourists. I am sure that 2014 will be a very good year for the tourism industry in Ireland" he added.

Ryanair Deputy Chief Executive Michael Cawley says it means the number of passengers through Shannon from the airline will almost double.