The deadline was announced by Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan in the House of Assembly on Friday.

Currently, the United States Navy runs air operations here.

But Sir John told MPs a Bermudian team would work alongside the Americans as they pull out.

"While the American forces do not leave until September of 1995, we are agreed that we must have a team in place to start to take over the air operation services by the end of this year.'' Such services involved air traffic control, meteorology and ground electronics, explained Sir John.

They also included navigational maintenance, crash and fire rescue, the air information system, and runway and taxi way maintenance.

Said Sir John: "Our team will work side by side with the Americans as they are withdrawn.

"Only in this way can we achieve a seamless transition from US Navy control of air operations to Bermuda control.

"Although the time frames are slightly different, we must also aim to take over the other base services in good time. These services do not simply involve air traffic control.'' They also involved, among other things, an ambulance and air sea rescue service, Airport security, sewage and lighting systems, and maintenance of Longbird Bridge.

Sir John is chairman of a special committee which meets with US Naval Air Station commander Capt. Tim Bryant. Three other committees -- one chaired by Deputy Premier the Hon. Irving Pearman -- also take part in the meetings.

One of the key aims is to ensure a smooth transition from American to Bermudian control.

"We have only a short period to accomplish this changeover,'' said Sir John.

He pointed out an in-depth survey of land and buildings at the US Naval Annex in Southampton had been completed.

And a similar survey at the USNAS had been launched.

"We have opened an office for a Government transition coordinating team to which a number of key civil servants have been seconded.'' Sir John said the task of finding qualified people to take charge of the Airport would be huge.

"The US Navy has, for military reasons, provided air and other services at a level above that required by the Federal Aviation Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organisation of civilian airports such as ours.

"We must decide a level of service which is consistent with our limited resources, but which is sufficiently high to continue to maintain confidence in the airlines which service Bermuda.

"We are determined to run a safe, first-class service at the Airport, but at the same time, we are very aware that we must develop an acceptable facility within our means.'' Sir John said he had recommended the "level of service'' at airports in America and the Caribbean be scrutinised.

And he pointed out Bermuda had hired expert help from Thompson-Hickling Aviation.

"I should stress that we have not asked Thompson-Hickling to run the Airport, although it is open to them to bid on the contract.

"Rather, we have asked them to review the status of air services activities at the Airport, to advise us on a concept of how these should be run and to prepare specifications that we will be able to use to ask for bids from organisations in Bermuda and abroad which would have an interest in providing these services on a contractual basis.

"We have asked this firm to produce bidding specifications by the middle of June. The Government intends to put the air operations services out to tender.

"Any firm or firms with which we enter into a contract to run the Airport will, of course, be obliged to adopt a very strong programme of Bermudianisation, so that Bermudians will, in due course, be able to take over this function.'' Sir John stressed environmental concerns would be addressed.