the winter.

British Airways yesterday announced, simultaneously here and in London, that it will operate three flights to the Island throughout the coming winter.

Local British Airways manager Mr. Philip Troake said the twice-weekly Tuesday and Saturday flights will be supplemented by a third flight on Thursdays, beginning in October.

"We have managed, in the last three years, to turn this route around from a heavy loss maker to a solidly performing and profitable one,'' Mr. Troake said. "We believe our conservative approach has been proven to be the wise course.'' Mr. Troake also noted that the introduction of the third flight would meet the business community's needs.

"I firmly believe we now have the proper base from which the route can grow,'' he said.

British Airways' local spokesperson, Mrs. Sallie Singleton who is in London, also announced the opening of the new Flight Connection facility at Gatwick's north terminal.

Mrs. Singleton said the new facility, located close to the arrivals area, would provide Gatwick with the fastest connection time of any airport in Europe. "The minimum time has been reduced from 45 minutes to 26 minutes,'' she said.

"We've just opened a new EuroLounge facility where passengers can connect between flights with the minimum of delay, distance and inconvenience. This will give Bermudian travellers quick and easy transfers to all the British Airways destinations throughout Europe.''