Cutting back on operation hours at Bermuda Airport could save even more money than officials earlier predicted.

After just over one month of operating reduced hours for aircraft take off and landing, staff at the facility are happy with the way the procedure is going.

And manager of air operations Lester Nelson said savings, which were predicted to be around $315,000 a year, could be as high as $400,000 or above.

Air traffic control and other services associated with aircraft movements are now closed between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., whereas previously the airport was open 24 hours a day.

The move came after officials discovered 99 percent of all flights were outside of those hours.

Mr. Nelson said savings in staffing levels could push the cost reduction even higher than anticipated.

During the first month of closure, the airport has opened up or remained open for eight incidents outside of those hours.

Seven of those were the late arrival of the American Airline's flight from New York, he said.

The other incident was the arrival and departure of an air ambulance on September 10, which came in at 2.17 a.m. and departed two hours later.

He said there have been no incidents of air ambulances being turned away from the runway.

"We have never refused entry to an air ambulance, '' he said. "We always make arrangements and sometimes they never actually come. Doctors are proactive, if they think they may need one.'' He said if a request comes in they ask if the evacuation can be done as close to 11 p.m. or 7 a.m. as possible, so staff can stay late or come in early, rather than having to stay through the night.

If that is not possible, then arrangements are made for its clearance.

"There is never a "no'', it is co-operation so they can achieve their objectives within our system.'' In the case of diversions of aircraft en route elsewhere that have emergencies on board, he said staff can be mobilised and at the airport in about 20 minutes.

The closure doesn't affect the normal opening of the airport for passengers.