Ryanair says there is a need for a second runway at Dublin.

The airline has announced a further expansion of operations in Dublin, increasing its weekly flight numbers by 15% - or 742 weekly flights - next summer.

It will also compete with Aer Lingus for the first time by launching a new route to Amsterdam Schiphol next month. The new route will fly four times daily.

There will also be extra flights to 14 airports from Dublin next summer - Alicante, Barcelona, Berlin, Birmingham, Brussels, Budapest, East Midlands, Liverpool, London Gatwick, Madrid, Malaga, Manchester and Venice Treviso.

The airline is also promising a new 'personalised website' for users from October, including a feature that will allow customers to hold a fare for 24 hours for €5.

Ryanair's Kenny Jacobs says there is enough traffic in Dublin to warrant a second runway, and says it could be built in a low-cost way:

Dublin Airport Managing Director, Vincent Harrison, welcomed the news of the Rynair expansion, saying, "Ryanair is an important customer for Dublin Airport, and we welcome its plans to expand further over the next 12 months.

“This announcement is good news for Irish business and tourism to Ireland, particularly as a recent economic study highlighted the huge importance of Dublin Airport as an engine of growth for the Irish economy," he added.

Speaking about the announcement, Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe said, "the National Aviation policy, which I published last month, outlines the need to ensure competitive air access and connectivity for Ireland, while responding to consumers’ needs. Ryanair is central to that. I commend all the staff on their success to date and look forward to their continued growth into the future.”