A new flight service connecting Bermuda with North Carolina and the UK is expected to be introduced in the new year.

The airline Fly First Class has been hoping to set up a link from Wilmington International Airport to London Stansted, with a stop on the Island, for about two years.

It is hoped the scheme would break British Airways' monopoly of the route from England to Bermuda and lead to cheaper fares for air passengers.

According to a preliminary plan, a Boeing 767 — with 90 seats in three classes — would operate twice a week, on Fridays and Sundays.

The proposal has been held up for a number of reasons, but officials are now hopeful the connection can be completed in the next few months.

Darrel Richardson, chief executive officer of Fly First Class, which is based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, said: "We have been planning this service for a couple of years.

"We have been going through different scenarios with British airlines, and we are still in the same position as this time last year.

"But it is still something that we want to do. It's still a great market for us because there's only one carrier (British Airways)."

It is thought companies in the UK would back the link-up because of Wilmington's good reputation for pharmaceutical products.

Part of the delay has been because Fly First Class needs a contract with a UK operator in order to offer the service.

Bosses were in talks with UK firm Flyjet, only for Flyjet to be taken over by a separate company, Silverjet, earlier this year. Officials are now hopeful Silverjet will back the plan.

Tom Murray, of Contemporary Market Solutions — which represents Fly First Class in Bermuda — said the move would benefit the Island.

Mr. Murray said: "As a travel agency, we try to see competition on a route instead. That would be good for consumers. You wouldn't just have BA as the only carrier, which would lead to more competitive pricing.

"There would also be more option for consumers, who would be able to travel to and from Stansted instead of just Gatwick.

"With Silverjet taking over from Flyjet, we have been given a new dynamic for this plan.

"I don't think anything will happen until the new year, but it would be really good if something could happen in the spring."