defuse a row with cab drivers.

Executives insisted they ploughed through hours of negotiations with drivers and taxi representatives before finalising the current project to revamp the baggage and arrivals area by May.

Some cabbies waiting for arriving passengers were left fuming when a temporary fence caused traffic jams and confusion last week.

But the airport's Terminals Manager, Mike Osborn, told The Royal Gazette that explanatory brochures were already being sent to the Island's fleet of taxi drivers.

Airport bosses announced last month that giant hoardings would go up around the arrivals hall to mask renovation work, which will eventually allow a 30 percent increase in passenger traffic.

And Mr. Osborn added that the Taxi Advisory Committee were involved in talks about the renovation scheme and their ideas were taken on board. He said the airport was even considering building a marquee outside the arrivals hall after cabbies said they wanted protection from bad weather.

And he said taxi drivers were invited to construction update meetings every Tuesday morning while the work was in progress.

Mr. Osborn added: "I must say that the representatives of the taxi drivers and the majority of taxi drivers have been most helpful in progressing the project.

"The key is communication. That way we can ensure that disruption to our visitors is kept to a minimum.'' Mr. Osborn said the Department of Airport Operations welcomed feedback from taxi drivers and supported the idea for an arrivals hall marquee.

He said: "Not only would this serve as protection against inclement weather but it could also act as a beacon to passengers, guiding them to the pick-up points.

"The Department of Airport Operations is actively pursuing this.'' BCM McAlpine, the scheme's main contractors, are extending the baggage area by 38 feet, working to a design drawn up by architects Conyers & Associates.

Baggage conveyor belts, which are 22 years old, will be replaced by the end of the month.

And workmen are also due to start on a new ground transportation system to relocate car parks and build a separate lounge for taxi drivers.

The cabbies' lounge, including vending machines, washrooms, telephones, a PA system and flight information display, should be ready by the end of march.

Independent transport advisers will also be hired to help arriving passengers next month.

But taxi drivers reacted angrily when the temporary fence was erected last week.

Bermuda Taxi Federation president Joe Brown said the fence was put up to protect taxis during the construction period.

But he said there was now just a small opening directing passengers to taxis.

There are also only two make-shift taxi bays for visitors.

Mr. Brown said: "We knew they were going to start construction but we did not know that there was going to be a fence erected.''