emerged last night.

The corporation's Bermuda general manager said the sick-out by thousands of pilots had already stranded all the Island's American Airlines services until tomorrow morning.

That will be the fifth consecutive day that flights between New York and Bermuda have been scrapped.

And Carole DeCouto warned services could also be cancelled on Sunday and even during the early part of next week.

The news came as American Airlines announced it was set to take legal action against its own pilots' union for contempt of court.

The Allied Pilots Association organised industrial action to lobby for better pay for Reno Air pilots, as part of their their on-going merger with American Airlines.

But the union ignored an order for pilots to return to the cockpit issued by US District Judge Joe Kendall on Wednesday.

Now American Airlines have filed a motion for contempt of court.

Mrs. DeCouto said: "They are obviously not listening to the judge because they are still striking.

"We have 1,170 flights cancelled today. That's even more than the days before.'' Hundreds of disappointed passengers in Bermuda have been offered alternative services until the American planes can fly again.

But Mrs. DeCouto added: "Availability is running out fast and this is an inconvenience to many people. We can only say we are sorry.'' The sick-out has already cost the airline more than 3,800 flights.

Executives have estimated that 2,400 of their 9,400 pilots called in sick yesterday, even after the judge's order.

UNIONS UNS