US Airways announced yesterday it is planning a daily, year-round flight to Bermuda from Washington, D.C. next year in place of its Baltimore flight.

The airline pulled its Baltimore flight toward the end of this season with the expectation that it would resume in the spring.

While Bermuda may have gained a new US gateway, the news may not be so welcome for those travelling for medical operations. Baltimore is home to one of the America's most well respected hospitals - Johns Hopkins - a facility regularly used by many Bermuda residents.

US Airways chairman and chief executive officer Stephen M. Wolf said yesterday the airline had applied to the US Department of Transportation to start a daily, year-round, non-stop flight from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Bermuda in March.

US Airways spokesman Rick Weintraub told The Royal Gazette the intention was to use the Reagan National flight to replace Baltimore in March - although the airline will retain Baltimore if permission is refused.

The airline plans to use Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft on the Washington route carrying 120 and 142 passengers, the same used on the Baltimore line.

There is the possibility the flight will not go ahead because there are restrictions out of Washington since the September 11 terrorist attacks. Mr. Weintraub said US Airways had decided to switch to Reagan because it served the greater Washington area better than Baltimore.

The airline, which also flies Bermuda to Philadelphia, said the new flight will bring “substantial and immediate benefits to passengers in the capital area as well as supporting commerce and tourism in the Washington area.

“This service to Bermuda will underscore the value of a fully operational airport to the economic well-being of this region and demonstrates our strong commitment to providing quality and convenient air service to its population.”

Bermuda Hotel Association President William (Billy) Griffith said: “It could well be more centrally located, but in any case, it is very good news that they are making this commitment so early.”