Phase one of a $20 million redevelopment at Bermuda International Airport has been finished -- with a bright new look for the runways.

Airport chiefs have spent $2 million on hundreds of new multi-colour take-off and landing lights on runways, taxi-ways and approach routes.

Some are even mounted on concrete pillars in the ocean to steer pilots on the right course.

And the entire new system will be tested this week when a helicopter is sent up for final technical checks.

The lights -- which meet international civil aviation standards -- took a year to put in place.

Now Government has spent $14.6 million on upgrading facilities at the airport since taking control of it from the US Navy in June 1995.

Officials have approved another $5 million to spend on a new baggage and customs area, redesigned car parks and storm protection for the runway.

Workmen are also carrying out constant resurfacing across the airfield, costing $3 million over the next three years.

The International Civil Aviation Organisation has already given the green light to the new airport lighting system.

Jack Gordon, general manager for the department of airport operations, said: "We had some problems with the lights at first and we had to send divers down to fix some of the underwater cabling.

"But we're extremely happy with the system now and it passes the toughest international standards.

`Modern' airport has seen the light(s) "We had to meet an entirely different set of regulations when the airport changed to civilian hands from being run by the military.

"Now we have a modern, very well equipped airport.'' He said the $14.6 million spent so far had gone on staff, new offices, a revamped terminal building and splitting arrival and departure corridors for passengers.

The immigration hall and US departures are have also been completely refurbished and airport bosses unveiled a new courier terminal last week for parcels and delivery companies.

Now phase two of the airport redevelopment is about to take off, with a redesigned baggage and customs area and new car park layout.

Mr. Gordon said: "Work to lay boulders on the shore at Castle Harbour, as storm protection, is on-going.

"We had been losing eight inches of shoreline a year because of storms and huge tides. Now we can combat that.

"We're also planning to re-align kerbs for a new long-term car park and taxi rank.

"And the baggage delivery area will be modernised, made bigger and more efficient. Also, we do not anticipate any disruption to passengers.'' He said behind-the-scenes building work on the baggage and customs project would start next month with major construction beginning in January. The scheme should be finished by May. Mr. Gordon also said 72 new jobs had been created for Bermudians since the US Navy left the airport.

He added: "The entire process of Bermudianisation at the airport is well underway.

"There are also several Bermudians in senior management positions now. The goal is that eventually all of the jobs at the airport will be taken by Bermudians.'' Bermudians are already filling posts in the airport's crash fire rescue team and air traffic control tower.

Transport Minister Wayne Furbert said: "An extremely significant amount of work has been done on the airport to reduce costs, increase revenue and Bermudianise the institution.