The Irish Aviation Authority said it expects to have to deal with up to 600 helicopter trips during each of the four days of the international golf tournament, which starts on 21 September.

Currently, 146 people are registered with the IAA to operate helicopters for the tournament.

They will ferry players and celebrities to and from a specially designated heliport close to the golf course.

An IAA spokesman said the authority would not be charging helicopter owners anything extra for the service. The IAA is a commercial state body which makes its money by charging airlines for the air-traffic controlling services it provides. Last year it took in almost 128m in aircontrol and other fees.

Last month, sports minister John O'Donoghue warned the hospitality sector against exploiting the thousands of visitors . . . especially golfing enthusiasts from the US . . . expected to visit Ireland for the tournament. He said attempts to make a quick buck out of the tournament would damage Ireland's tourism in the long term. But, while the IAA is playing its part and giving its services to helicopter owners free of charge, the spokesman said helicopters would be charged landing fees at the heliport near the K Club.

Helicopter pilots will not be allowed to fly through the military restricted area around Baldonnel airport, which is in the path between Dublin and the K Club. Instead, pilots will have to circumnavigate the restricted area and await instructions from the military before being allowed to proceed to the authorised heliport which is located inside the restricted area.