down on the Island.

All the Island's carriers cancelled flights in and out yesterday afternoon as the possibility of a hurricane strike loomed.

American Airlines, Delta, Continental, US Airways and British Airways all abandoned flight plans for Tuesday.

And some Wednesday services were also affected as the airlines ensured all their aircraft were back in the US when the storm arrived, to avoid any damage.

American Airlines early morning flight to New York was called off but the afternoon service was still expected. Other carriers were waiting to see how the storm moved, before deciding on resuming service.

Winds above 30 knots mean aircraft cannot operate, in addition the airport is vulnerable to cross winds.

Early yesterday, the first air casualties from Hurricane Gert were announced, when five charter aircraft carrying families of US servicemen were called off.

The planes were due in yesterday, bringing 1,000 relatives of sailors to Bermuda to meet their loved ones -- who were sailing in on the sixth fleet from Europe.

Acting US Consul General Douglas Dobson said the flights, from the fleet's home port of Norfolk, Virginia, were cancelled and the ships bypassed the Island, heading directly for the US.

And the Island's new US Consul General, Larry Owen, also called off his arrival.

The official, who was due to make his Island debut yesterday, cancelled his flight due to the weather and will now fly in from Atlanta on Friday.

One of the first cancellations of the day was today's British Airways flight from London, Gatwick.

The return flight was also called off and an announcement is due on when the service will be re-scheduled. Passengers are advised to call the 1-800 Airways number for more information.

Staff at the airport were busy yesterday preparing the site for the strong winds.

Manager of Airport Operations Lester Nelson said workers had cleared the runway and surrounding area of any materials that could break loose, including on the nearby Southside land.

The radar was due to be disconnected and runway lights were taken down. In addition, equipment was being readied to cope with sand blown onto Kindley Field.

Mr. Nelson said storm surge in Castle Harbour could also be a problem, although some preventative action had been taken previously.

Local shipping has been affected by the approach of Hurricane Gert, with diversions and abrupt departures of the Island's regular callers.

The Norwegian Majesty has sailed for New Brunswick, Canada, while the Norwegian Crown will dock in Halifax. The Majesty may return to Bermuda for an overnight stay on Thursday.

Celebrity Cruise Lines' Zenith and Horizon will both head for Cape Canaveral and Nassau, Bahamas. The Horizon may return on Thursday.

The Royal Gazette understands the Nordic Empress will spend today some distance away from the Island and may make port by Wednesday or Thursday.

The Oleander left Hamilton yesterday after discharging its cargo during the day.

It had arrived off St. George's on Sunday night and only put into Hamilton yesterday morning.

Both Global Crossing's cable laying ship Sir Eric Sharp and the Dutch registered cargo ship Iver Explorer will ride out the storm southwest of the Island.

The Iver Explorer was slated to head to about 200 miles west of Bermuda.

And a familiar sight in Hamilton Harbour, the sailing yacht Fleurtje weighed anchor early yesterday to take up station to our southwest in preparation for Gert.

HURRICANES HUR