The bitter pill of losing a US gateway was sweetened today with the news that Bermuda could get more air opportunities from the US.

USAirways said the deletion of their La Guardia seasonal flight could be countered with larger capacity planes serving the Island from three other airports and the possibility of more "opportunities'' in the future.

Spokesman David Castelveter confirmed that low passenger numbers and a need to use the aircraft elsewhere in the US domestic market had prompted the decision to axe the slot.

But he said they were confident the existing Philadelphia, Baltimore and Charlotte flights would give passengers enough options to get to the Island.

"Bermuda will maintain service through three hubs and we will continue to grow the amount of flights in and out -- giving the Island more passengers to draw from,'' he said. "We are beginning to build hubs and add new service.

That will mean more opportunities to connect passengers to flights to Bermuda.

"Philadelphia is our primary international gateway, we have 390 daily flights, so people can travel from all over the country and make connections there.'' Mr. Castelveter refused to be drawn into the row between Tourism Minister David Allen and Shadow Minister David Dodwell over the loss of the flight.

Mr. Dodwell claimed USAirways dropped the flight because of the upcoming sixth cruise ship from Philadelphia, which would hook up with a charter service.

But, in the House of Assembly on Friday, Mr. Allen refuted the claims, saying poor numbers were behind the move. And he accused the United Bermuda Party of lack of action during its watch, pointing to the recent news of two possible new flights from Atlanta and St. Louis, Missouri.

The USAirways spokesman said the LaGuardia aircraft, which was dropped in September, would be used on a more profitable route in the US.

He said there was a temporary shortage of aircraft which would be alleviated as Airbus planes replaced the airline's existing fleet.

That will mean that eventually Baltimore, Charlotte and Philadelphia will get planes with up to 142 seats, compared to 126 now.

And the year-round Philadelphia-to-Bermuda service is to get a larger Boeing aircraft in the meantime.

TOURISM TOU