more London-Bermuda flights.

Mr. Phillip Troake said he was hoping the route's good performance this summer would persuade BA to start restoring cuts in the service -- the major source of travel for tourists from Europe.

His comments came after speculation from Tourism Board chairman Mr. Kirk Cooper that the airline could soon increase its UK-Bermuda flights from two a week to three.

"I share his optimism,'' said Mr. Troake. "I think we've done well this summer.

"I would hope that we've done well enough to prove the market can support more flights.

"Hopefully, we will progressively increase over the next few years until we can match the true potential of Europe.'' Mr. Troake said the route's results would be examined after the end of October, and a decision on next year's service would then be made.

"I have urged that we try to make this decision as early as possible, and the company has taken that on board. I hope that before the end of this calendar year we will know what we will be operating in April.'' BA is the only airline flying direct between Bermuda and the UK. It used to fly the route six times a week, but this was cut back to four in May, 1991.

Since October, 1991, there have been only two flights a week -- on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

The cuts were made in an effort to reverse huge financial losses on the route.

In the year up to April, 1991, losses were $19.5 million. This was cut by about half in the year up to April, 1992.

One reason for the route's poor performance was the high cost of flying onto Florida from Bermuda. But this service was scrapped last May.

BA has said it expects the route to approach profitability sometime before April, 1993. It must at least break even to survive.

Mr. Phillip Troake.