Passengers are being warned to expect possible delays at Bermuda's Airport as work gets underway on multi-million dollar improvement plans.

It is expected work at the Airport will kick off towards the end of this month -- and last until the end of April next year.

When it is finished new shops, executive lounges, duty free areas, an extended immigration area and a new front to the airport will emerge.

In addition new procedures will be put into place to ease the flow of passengers from planes through Immigration and Customs.

"Everyone has been very co-operative and I am very pleased with people's reactions,'' said Jack Gordon, Airport operations manager.

"The Government takes a lot of raps for a lot of things, but it has recognised the need for these improvements and they understand it is important that the Airport has a pleasant impact on visitors coming and going.'' He added: "The Transport Minister Wayne Furbert has been very helpful in supporting the plans put forward, as have the Cabinet.'' A contract for the work should be awarded within the next couple of weeks with work starting almost immediately.

No concessions to run food stores and shops have yet been awarded but it is understood recommendations have been made and a final decision should be made soon.

The work -- which will completely remodel the Airport -- will cost about $5 million and it is expected another $2 million could be invested by retailers.

Construction will take place over two phases with the first lasting from October to December.

It will include retail shops, duty free for US and international departures and food concessions on the ground floor.

The majority of the Immigration area, which is being enlarged by more than a third, will also be done and the corridor taking arrivals will be changed.

Phase two will take from January to March or April and will including finishing the arrivals and departures corridor, which is being separated for security reasons, new stairs and rooms.

The front of the Airport, as seen by passengers, will be completely remodelled and new gates put into place connecting commuter walks to planes. The baggage collection area will also be enlarged.

Mr. Gordon added: "We are hoping some other initiatives could get underway and we are hoping there will be some streamlined procedures to pass through Immigration and Customs.'' NEW STRUCTURE -- An artist's impression of a new walkway at Bermuda's Airport.

It will be linked to commuter tunnels that keep people arriving and departing dry when they walk to their aircraft.