An "ambitious'' set of new Airport improvements over winter is expected to see a great jump in the number of passengers able to be speedily processed.

Bermuda International Airport General Manager Jack Gordon revealed the new project to The Royal Gazette yesterday just minutes after Transport Minister Ewart Brown officially opened the revamped arrivals hall.

And Mr. Gordon said the continuing investment in the Airport was proof of solid optimism that visitor numbers would climb in the months to come.

Mr. Gordon -- visibly jubilant at the end of the three-year overhaul -- is proud of the work completed under his leadership but definitely not yet ready to rest on his laurels.

He said his attention had already turned to implementing "technological improvements'' in the departures area at the Airport which would soon expand the number of passengers able to be processed at once by 30 percent.

The work was expected to be carried out over winter -- the quiet season for visitors to the Island.

He said the three phases of work at the Airport over the past three years had come at a cost of more than $12 million.

Phase one saw the US and international departures area, the arrivals corridor and the immigration hall upgraded at the cost of $7 million.

The baggage hall and Customs project redevelopment -- the second stage -- came with a $5 million price-tag.

And the $840,000 third step, which was opened yesterday, entailed a parking lot restructuring and the creation of a facility for waiting taxi drivers.

"Absolutely it is worth it,'' the Airport chief said of the vast expense and further expected costs.

"And yes, it is ambitious. That is exactly right.'' "These improvements give people the sense that they are arriving somewhere up market, to a place where people have pride in their country.

"There is probably nowhere as important for tourism than the Airport because it is the first and last place people see of Bermuda. And when they leave here with a good impression, that supports the whole industry.'' Earlier at the ribbon-cutting ceremony new Progressive Labour Party Transport Minister Ewart Brown invited previous Transport Minister Wayne Furbert "under whose leadership the project began'' to take a bow.

Dr. Brown said: "When you're talking about how to liven up the Airport, concrete and brass can take you only so far.

"What we're talking about is the spirit of human beings -- adding a feeling, a vibration if you will.

"So when Bermudians come into the Airport you will feel good about coming home. And visitors will feel good about arriving.

"Blood pressures will drop instead of rising. Visitors will know they are entering a unique place -- the world's number one destination.'' Tourism Minister David Allen said those arriving would also be struck by the "quantum leap in facilities'' at the Airport.

Artistic and cultural features were a precious tool to instil local heritage into the terminal and "bring Bermuda's identity back into tourism''.