Two young Bermudians were yesterday poised to take over key positions at the International Airport.

At a small ceremony at the Department of Airport Operations, Minister of Transport Wayne Furbert introduced the Airport's new financial controller, Delia Basden, and Manager of Air Operations Lester Nelson, who replaces Halifax native Paul Richard.

The move is further proof Government's objectives at the Airport are being met, said Mr. Furbert.

"You will recall back in 1995 we set out with firm goals; to cut costs; to increase revenue; and to ensure Bermudians would be in place,'' said the Minister.

Since taking over operations at the Airport, Bermudians have worked for and been retrained by Vancouver's YVR Group, which oversees operations at a number of airports around the world.

When Bermuda took over the Airport, 41 personnel had to be brought in to oversee the transition from military to civilian operation. Today only 14 foreign workers remain, including General Manager Jack Gordon.

The Minister paid tribute to the outgoing Canadian transition team, thanking them on behalf of the Government "for taking time out of their busy lives to come to Bermuda to help out''.

Mrs. Basden, a graduate of the Bermuda High School and the Bermuda College, holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Andrews University of Michigan. She is also a Chartered Public Accountant. With YVR, she trained for airport management in Montreal and Vancouver.

Mr. Nelson is a licensed commercial pilot who trained at Florida's Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in aviation management. His training regime with YVR took him to Berlin, Halifax, Long Island, New York, Vancouver, and Montreal.

"The biggest challenge is going to be the changing environment; we haven't reached a steady state yet,'' said Mr. Nelson. Everything, agreed Mrs. Basden, is still in transition.