Local entertainment at LF Wade International Airport is to be axed, baggage handling staff will be cut and overtime reduced, the House of Assembly heard yesterday.During the Budget debate on Transport, Minister Terry Lister told the House of Assembly the airport “continues to progress despite the economic challenges both locally and worldwide”.He said the airport had secured a new low cost carrier AirTran Airways, which would be providing services from Baltimore and Atlanta, beginning on April 7 and May 26 respectively.He also said the airport had installed an advanced surveillance radar, in a cost-sharing agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), for $4.3 million.This new radar would not only help the FAA with providing air traffic control services to flights operating to and from Bermuda, but also the many flights operating on the US East Coast, he said.However it would be letting go of the promotional expenses including plant and floral displays, advertising, marketing and entertainment provided by local musicians, he said.“The airport common use terminal equipment system budget has also been reduced,” he said.In order to cut spending the airport will reduce baggage handling staff from 12 to nine this year. This includes three skycaps who are retiring from service; cuts will also be made to the amount of overtime spending allocated.Mr Lister told MPs yesterday the airport was in the process of developing and redesigning a new plan for the Ferry Reach end of the runway.“This new design process wil require the displacement of the runway threshold, thereby shortening the usable length of the runway by 590 feet.“To achieve this, the navigational aid equipment known as Precision Approach Path Indicators (PAPIS), used by pilots to help guide aircraft to the touchdown point, will have to be repositioned.“Additionally, runway lighting will have to be moved and line markings re-applied in order to meet the new regulatory requirement,” he explained.Mr Lister said in order to reduce costs and boost quality the Department of Airport Operations had contracted a group of IT specialists to take over the passenger processing system.“This includes enhanced check-in functionality, flight information screens, WIFI, public announcements and the installation of an airport music system.“This upgrade has been achieved at a 25 percent cost saving over the previous contract.”In addition, he said upgrades to restrooms were almost complete and added: “Already surveys show that the new upgrades are meeting with the expectations of all users.“These restrooms are environmentally friendly with the installation of Dyson hand driers to eliminate paper.”He said the flight information was now featured live on the refurbished site www.bermudaairport.com.This would save Somerset residents from driving to the airport only to learn their flight had been delayed or cancelled, he said.The Department of Airport Operations has been allocated an Operating budget of $20.5 million for the 2011/12 fiscal year. This is down $332,000 when compared to the 2010/11 budget.Useful websites: www.gov.bm