of two companies in the running for Bermuda's huge Airport contract arrived on the Island yesterday.

Mr. Ed Montgomery, president of Serco Aviation Services Inc. of Canada, checked into the Stonington Beach Hotel yesterday.

But it was not clear whether his presence meant that Serco had been chosen over its competitor, a partnership that includes AlliedSignal Technical Services Corp. of Columbia, Maryland and Bermuda Aviation Services Ltd.

Management and Technology Minister the Hon. Grant Gibbons, who refused to comment on the contract yesterday, said he was surprised to learn from The Royal Gazette that Mr. Montgomery is on the Island.

Cabinet is believed to have made its choice yesterday. But Government is expected to stress today that it is not announcing a winning bidder, only the identity of the company it plans to negotiate with.

The contract is expected to be worth between $25 million and $50 million over five years.

The winning company is to provide air traffic control, weather and aeronautical information, ground electronic maintenance, and crash fire and rescue services at the Airport.