The first seven-day air service between Bermuda and the UK since the 1970s takes effect today and early indications point to a promising summer season, according to British Airways district manager Philip Troake.

The one-flight-a-day service has been increased from five days a week to seven resulting in a near 50 percent jump in the number of seats available to passengers travelling to and from London Gatwick Airport.

Today sees the first Wednesday flight. The other ?blank? day in the previous schedule ? Friday ? will also now be a flying day for BA for the foreseeable future.

?We?re absolutely delighted. It has been slow and steady growth since the Gulf War when the Bermuda route was in jeopardy of being axed. At the time it was losing $20 million a year,? said Mr. Troake.

?However, we always believed that it could stand on its own and with the growth of international business it has flourished to reach this daily service.?

The service uses a wide-bodied Boeing 777 aircraft. In terms of flights there is a 40 percent increase as a result of the new Wednesday and Friday service.

Return tickets, excluding airport taxes and surcharges, for April and May are priced around $654.

Mr. Troake told : ?We are in the Easter period and the flights are quite busy. It?s a little early to see how well we are going to do. The forward bookings are positive compared to a year ago.?

He said a marketing drive was underway in the UK to promote the expanded service.

The seven-day service is slated to continue until October 27. No decision has yet been made about what will happen after that date, although Mr. Troake expects an announcement soon.