the month following a major refurbishment programme.

The lounge closed in January after airport managers refused to renew the lease held by American Airlines.

The room was previously used as an executive departure lounge for Government Ministers, but the airline took it over about eight years ago because the United Bermuda Party administration was not using the facility.

At the start of the year, the airport would not explain why the lease had been cancelled or what the lounge would be used for in the future.

But last night, airport general manager Marshall Minors revealed that it had undergone a major overhaul amounting to tens of thousands of dollars and would be ready for unveiling in about ten days time.

He said: "We do have an agreement with American Airlines. What we have done with the airline is upgrade the facility to a standard that executive passengers would be expecting.

"I would say that by the end of this month the lounge will be fully operational.

"It has seen a complete redecoration. The airport has paid for the majority of it, but we will recover it in the lease agreement.'' He said the refurbishment included the repainting of the building, the construction of a new bar area and new washrooms.

He said the airport had come to an agreement with the airline on the lease about two months ago and said the reason it had not been renewed in January was because of the need to revamp the lounge.

Mr. Minors added: "We felt that the lounge itself needed to be upgraded really to provide the proper facilities for VIPs and executive travellers.

American Airlines agreed with that.

"That is why we didn't enter into an agreement.'' American Airlines manager Carole DeCouto said after the lounge closed, passengers started to complain.

She added: "When the customers started complaining we went back to airport operations and worked something out where we could use it again.

"I think the refurbishment was needed. I don't think it had been done for about five years.

"It looks much better now. I think it has been missed by some of our customers.'' A date has not yet been set for the unveiling of the lounge, but it is expected to be before the end of this month.