Transport authorities in the United States yesterday approved US Airways' application to switch it's Baltimore to Bermuda flight to depart from Washington.

The news was greeted with delight by Transport Minister Dr Ewart Brown, who said it would open up a major gateway in the US capital to the Island.

He confirmed last night that the US Transportation Department has approved the switch to Reagan National Airport, in spite of objections from American and Delta. And he said the service is now set to begin sometime before the summer.

"It is great news. We have been waiting for it for a long time and working for it more than a year," he told The Royal Gazette.

"We now have a flight from Washington DC and Washington DC is a gateway of choice."